President Ali Bongo Ondimba has taken to his social media page to announce that, he has been placed under house arrest, after the military toppled his government.
“I’m Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon and I’m to send a message to all the friends that we have, all over the world to tell them to make noise, to make noise, for the people here have arrested me and my family. My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place and I’m at the residence.”
“Right now, I’m under residence arrest and nothing happening, and nothing is happening, I don’t know what’s going on. So, I’m calling you to make noise, to make noise, to make noise really. I’m thanking you, thank you.”
ALi Bongo Ondimba, Ousted President of Gabon, via his social media page.
In the early hours of the day, news broke in that, military officers in Libreville have seized power, thus overthrowing the administration of the President Ali Bongo.
According to the military officers, the just ended elections which declared Ali Bongo as duly elected for a third term in office, have been annulled, and added that, “all the institutions of the republic” have been dissolved.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis. In the name of the Gabonese people, we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime.”
Gabonese Military.
The coup declaration came in, after the Bongo administration had imposed curfew on the people, and nationwide internet shut down , in what he claimed to be preventing the dissemination of “false news” regarding the just ended elections, which have received many criticisms from both local and international observers.
Bongo ruled Gabon for fourteen years after succeeding his late father Omar Ali Bongo in 2009. The coup brings an end to the Bongo family’s dominance in governance, after they have led the central African nation for 55 years.
The Gabonese coup marks the eighth military takeover on the African continent since 2020, of which many of these countries are formal colonies of France.
France Monitoring Closely
The collapse of Bongo’s administration signals the nearly-dying France relations with its formal colonies, and the increasing anti-French sentiments among francophone nations.
France has maintained good relations with Gabon for decades, and had been in business with the nation in the area oil and gas and mining.
Eramet, a French mining firm, announced that it has ended all activities in Gabon and putting safety measures in place for both its employees and equipment.
According the Prime Minister of France, Elizabeth Borne, Paris is closely monitoring events unfolding in Libreville, and would take the necessary actions at the appropriate time.
Also the spokesperson for the French government, Olivier Veran released a statement condemning what has transpired in Libreville.
“France condemns the military coup that is underway in Gabon and is closely monitoring developments in the country, and France reaffirms its wish that the outcome of the election, once known, be respected.”
Olivier Veran, Spokesperson for the French Government.
On the other hand, European Union’s official for foreign policy and security, Josep Borrell has revealed that, the bloc’s ministers would discuss the situation in Gabon when they convey for meeting this week.
“If this is confirmed, it’s another military coup, which increases instability in the whole region.”
Josep Borrell, EU’s Chief for Foreign Policy and Security
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