Several nations have condemned a military coup in Gabon with the United Kingdom calling it “unconstitutional” while acknowledging concerns over the recent election.
Key points:
- Junta leaders say election results are cancelled, borders closed and state institutions dissolved
- President Ali Bongo Ondimba appealed to foreign allies, saying “I’m calling you to make noise”
- Gabonese residents have celebrated the end to the Bongo family’s 56-year rule in the country
Military officers in oil-rich Gabon said they had seized power on Wednesday, placing President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest and naming a new leader.
The televised announcement came after the Central African state’s election body confirmed Mr Ali Bongo had won a third term.
Saying they represented the armed forces, the officers declared election results were cancelled, borders closed and state institutions dissolved.
The weekend election was set to extend the Mr Ali Bongo family’s more than half century in power.
Within hours, generals met to discuss who would lead the transition and agreed by unanimous vote to appoint General Brice Oligui Nguema, former head of the presidential guard, according to another televised address.
Meanwhile, Mr Ali Bongo appealed to foreign allies, imploring them to speak out on his and his family’s behalf from detention in his residence.
“My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place and I’m at the residence and nothing is happening,” he said in the video statement.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m calling you to make noise.”
Western nations deplore coup
Britain’s foreign ministry issued a statement calling for the restoration of constitutional government.
“The UK condemns the unconstitutional military takeover of power in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government,” it said.
“We acknowledge concerns raised regarding the recent electoral process, including restrictions on media freedom.”
Canada said it was deeply concerned by the situation and called for quick and peaceful return to “democratic and inclusive civilian-led governance”.
French government spokesman Olivier Veran said: “We condemn the military coup and recall our commitment to free and transparent elections.”
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and the African Union condemned the events and called on the military to ensure the safety of Mr Ali Bongo and his family.
‘Contagion of autocracy’ concerns
The coup creates more uncertainty for France’s presence in Africa.
The country has about 350 troops in Gabon after recent coups in Mali and Burkina Faso kicked forces out.
The military takeover is the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020, and the second — after Niger — in as many months.
A “contagion of autocracy” is spreading across Africa, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said.
Mr Tinubu, who is also current chair of West African bloc ECOWAS, said he was working closely with other African leaders on how to respond in Gabon.
Mr Ali Bongo’s plight was a dramatic reversal from the early hours of Wednesday when the electoral commission declared him the winner of Saturday’s disputed vote.
He was declared winner with 64.2 per cent of the vote.
‘I am joyful’: Residents celebrate end to Ali Bongo rule
Hundreds of people celebrated the military’s intervention in the streets of the Gabonese capital Libreville.
Jobless Jules Lebigui, 27, joined crowds in Libreville.
“I am marching today because I am joyful. After almost 60 years, the Bongos are out of power,” Mr Lebigui said
Mr Ali Bongo took over in 2009 on the death of his father Omar, who had ruled since 1967.
Opponents say the family has done little to share the state’s oil and mining wealth with its 2.3 million people.
Coup leaders say the country faced “a severe institutional, political, economic, and social crisis”, and that the August 26 vote was not credible.
They also said they had arrested the president’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and others for corruption and treason.
Concerns about the weekend’s elections were noted by international observers, following the decision to impose a night-time curfew and cut internet services after the vote.
Mr Ali Bongo’s team rejected allegations of fraud.
Following the coup, the internet appeared to be working for the first time since then, with junta leaders confirming access had been restored.
Coup leader said they would keep the curfew in place until further notice.
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