A group of top Gabonese military officers appeared on television early Wednesday morning, August 30 to announce that they have taken power President Ali Bongo following his re-election.
Ali Bongo and his family have been in power for 53 years. A situation the Gabonese people have wailed over for decades.
The Soldiers appeared on state television channel Gabon 24 and said they represented all security and defence forces in the Central African nation. The soldiers said the election results were cancelled. Also, they indicated that all borders are closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved.
“In the name of the Gabonese people, we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime.” The officers said.
Tensions were high after Saturday’s presidential, parliamentary, and legislative vote. The election saw Ali Bongo claim victory, extending his family’s 56-year grip on power.
The opposition claimed multiple electoral malpractices and have been pushing for change in the oil and cocoa-rich but poverty-stricken nation.
Lack of international observers. The suspension of some foreign broadcasts, and the authorities’ decision to cut internet service. As well as, the impose of night-time curfew nationwide after the poll raised concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. Prompting the soldiers to take over government.
The coup makes Gabon the latest African country to be taken over by the military. Following similar actions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and the latest being Niger Republic. Hence, the phenomenon prompting threats of an invasion by the Nigeria led ECOWAS bloc.
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