Military parade in Gabon marks first anniversary that ended 55 years of dynastic rule

Gabonese General presided over a military parade and other events on Friday to mark a year since the curtain down on 55 years of rule by the Bongo dynasty on the oil-rich African country. Crowds started gathering early in the morning near the presidency in the capital Libreville to greet the transitional president with songs.

The general, who has promised to hand power back to civilians next year, has already hinted at his ambitions for the August 2025 presidential elections. The transitional government has pledged financial support of around $105 million to the provinces as well as the creation of nearly 2,600 kilometres of roads across the Central African nation by 2030.