A new transitional parliament and senate have been named by General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of the coup that toppled Gabon’s long-ruling Bongo family.

The coup, which took place on August 30, was supported by the military, the police, the opposition, civil society, and the public. It ended more than 55 years of rule by Ali Bongo Ondimba and his father, Omar Bongo.

The coup leaders have promised to hold free elections and return power to civilians after a “national dialogue”. They expect the elections to be held between April and June 2024.

The 98 new parliament members include figures from the opposition and some former allies of Ali Bongo. They were announced on national television by a spokesman of the transitional head of state.

The transitional government is headed by Raymond Ndong Sima, a former prime minister who became a prominent opposition leader. He works with a national transition council composed of army officers with the same roles as the ministers.

The parliament had limited powers under Bongo and was considered a rubber stamp for the ruling party.

Ali Bongo, 64, succeeded his father in 2009 after his death. He was overthrown shortly after being declared the winner of controversial elections in August.