Gabon's new military leader has affirmed a commitment to restoring democracy in the country but has refrained from specifying a timeline for fresh elections. General Brice Oligui Nguema has emphasized that the country's governmental institutions will undergo democratization, describing their suspension as a "temporary" measure.

Nevertheless, Gabon's opposition coalition contends that the military has not shown any indications of relinquishing power to a civilian government.

Ali Bongo, the deposed president, has been placed under house arrest in recent days. On Wednesday, army officers announced on state television that they had taken control, ending the Bongo family's 55-year grip on power in the central African nation.

They also declared the nullification of the results of the presidential election held on Saturday, in which Mr. Bongo was declared the victor, but the opposition alleged fraud.

In a televised address on Friday evening, General Nguema stated that the military would act "swiftly yet prudently" to prevent elections that would "repeat the same errors" by perpetuating the same individuals in power.

"Going as quickly as possible does not mean organizing ad hoc elections, where we will end up with the same errors," he said.

Gabon's main opposition group, Alternance 2023, which says it is the rightful winner of Saturday's election, urged the international community on Friday to encourage a return to civilian rule.

"We were happy that Ali Bongo was overthrown but ... we hope that the international community will stand up in favor of the Republic and the democratic order in Gabon by asking the military to give back the power to the civilians," Alexandra Pangha, a spokesperson for Alternance 2023 leader Albert Ondo Ossa, told the BBC.

She added that the plan for Gen Nguema to be sworn in as transitional president on Monday was "absurd".

The coup in Gabon is the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020, following Niger, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

It has been condemned by the UN, the African Union, and France - its former colonial power which had close ties to the Bongo family.

Mr Bongo, who had been in power since 2009, appeared in a video at his home this week calling on his "friends all over the world" to "make noise" on his behalf.

But his removal has also been celebrated by many in Gabon who have grown resentful of his, and his family's, regime.

Crowds in the capital, Libreville, and elsewhere were seen celebrating the army's declaration earlier this week.

Only God's rulership is better than any Human rulership.

Democracy indeed

It had better be.