Gabon's ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba has decided to stay in the country and offered his hand to a transitional government, the Western media said, citing Gabon's military-appointed post-coup Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima.
"He [Bongo] has chosen to remain in the capital, Libreville, where his wife and son are detained," Sima told the news agency, adding that Bongo "has offered his services" to the military government.
Sima reportedly added that Bongo is free to leave Gabon if he wishes to do so.
Speaking about the plans of the caretaker government, the newly appointed Prime Minister noted in a media interview that the new leadership will "fight tooth and nail" against corruption, which is the "most critical issue" facing the nation.
The other challenges, Sima stressed, include increases in the price of electricity or fuel, solutions to which are expected to be proposed by ministers at the end of the month.
The transitional government also intends to negotiate with trade unions, business representatives, religious leaders and civil society groups to revise Gabon's constitution and electoral code.
"We need to give confidence in the electoral process," Sima told the agency. "This coup d’état was caused by bad electoral code, hence it must be revised."
The post-coup transitional government appointed General Brice Oligui Nguema as interim head of state, while former Gabonese cabinet chief Sima was named prime minister.
The new leadership declared its intention to hand over power to civilians at the end of the transition period by organizing "free and transparent" elections.