Soldiers Announce “End of Current Regime”
Just days after the disputed elections in Gabon, soldiers have claimed to have overthrown the government. In a televised address, a group of high-ranking officers announced that they had taken control of the African country.
Another military coup appears to have unfolded on the African continent. In Gabon, a group delivered a speech on national television announcing the “end of the current regime.” They declared that they had seized power in the country. The group consisted of representatives from the Gendarmerie, the Republican Guard, and other security forces. They declared the presidential election invalid and urged the population to remain calm. The twelve men also announced on the network “Gabon 24” that they planned to “dissolve all the institutions of the republic.” The borders of the Central African state would be closed until further notice.
Gunshots reported in the capital, Libreville
The military justified their actions by citing the “irresponsible and unpredictable governance” that had led to a “continuous deterioration of social cohesion,” endangering the country with the threat of “chaos.”
They claimed to be speaking on behalf of the “Committee for Transition and Institutional Restoration.” Journalists from the AFP news agency reported gunshots in the capital, Libreville. The Bongo clan’s decades-long reign
Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Gabon on Saturday. Prior to the military’s televised address, the electoral commission had announced the victory of the incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Elections in the African country have long been controversial. The 64-year-old Bongo Ondimba assumed the presidency from his father in 2009. The Bongo clan has been ruling the West African country for 55 years. Over the decades, their wealth has been primarily derived from Gabon’s oil and gas reserves.
Military rule in Niger since July
A military coup had already taken place on the continent recently: At the end of July, the military seized power in the West African country of Niger. The elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife were detained by the Presidential Guard, an elite military unit, in the presidential palace.
The coup in Niger was orchestrated by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the commander of the guard. He declared himself the new leader, and shortly afterwards, the coup plotters suspended the constitution of the West African country and dissolved all constitutional institutions.