Gabon military leader refuses presidential salary

Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema, the president of Gabon, has renounced his pay and will henceforth only be paid as the commander of the republican guard.

After President Ali Bongo was overthrown in August of this year, he was appointed as the country's acting president.

junta spokesperson in an announcement on Wednesday said Gen Nguema took the decision because he was "aware of the social emergencies and many expectations of the Gabonese people".

“Each day that passes allows the [junta] to become more aware of the general state of deterioration of the country and public finances in particular,” Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said in a report by the BBC.

Deposed Allegations of corruption and other financial issues dogged President Bongo's 14-year administration; the junta said that the nation's finances were "victim of a real criminal fury."

In addition to giving up his income as president, Gen. Nguema made the decision to cut back on public spending by eliminating political money, slashing parliamentarians' allowances, and reducing session allowances.

According to reports, the most recent action appears to have given the Gabonese people renewed faith in the nation's leadership.

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