Gabon's New Prime Minister Forms Government After Coup Attempt

(Bloomberg) -- Gabon’s newly appointed prime minister has formed a government, replacing the oil-rich nation’s energy minister, less than a week after a failed coup attempt.

Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekale has named Emmanuel Norbert Tony Ondo Mba energy minister, replacing Patrick Eyogo Edzang, but leaving most key ministers in the 38-member government in place, according to a statement from the presidency.

The cabinet reshuffle in the West African nation followed an attempted coup that came while President Ali Bongo was receiving treatment abroad after suffering a stroke.

Bongo, who has been out of the country since October, appointed Bekale by presidential decree as prime minister, Secretary-General in the Presidency Jean Yves Teale said in a live broadcast on state television early Saturday.

A group of military officials on Jan. 7 seized the state broadcaster and announced plans to “save a democracy in danger.” They have since been arrested and order has been restored. Bongo is recuperating in Morocco following a stroke in October, according to the government.

To contact the reporters on this story: Leanne de Bassompierre in Abidjan at ldebassompie@bloomberg.net;Eric Mbog Batassi in Libreville at embogbatassi@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net, Todd White, Nicholas Larkin

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