The military carry out a coup in Gabon and put President Ali Bongo under house arrest

A group of soldiers announced this Wednesday that they had put an end to the current regime in Gabon and in house arrest to the president Ali Bongo Ondimbawhose re-election, after 14 years in power, had just been proclaimed by the electoral authorities.

Until this coup, the oil-rich country of Africa Central was run for over 55 years by the Bongo family.

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ali bongowho succeeded his father in 2009, was placed under house arrest, “surrounded by his family and his doctors”the military announced on state television.

One of his sons, Noureddin Bongo valentinewas arrested forhigh treason”.

Senior officials of the regime, advisors to the presidency and the two main managers of the almighty Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG).

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba waves as he leaves the Elysee Palace after a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on February 21, 2011. (Eric Feferberg / AFP) (ERIC FEFERBERG/)

The head of the presidential guard, General Brice Oligui Nguemawas carried away triumphantly by hundreds of soldiers, according to images broadcast on television.

International reactions to this new coup in an African country did not wait. China I call “ensure the safety of ali bongo”while Francea former colonial power, “condemned the ongoing military coup” and Russia expressed his “deep concern”.

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“Defend peace”

After the official announcement at night of the victory of Bongo drum In Saturday’s elections with 64.27% of the vote, twelve soldiers appeared on television to announce the dissolution of State institutions.

In their statement, the military announced the annulment of Saturday’s elections and the dissolution of “all institutions” of this country in the center-west of Africa.

After noticing that acontinued deterioration of social cohesion” threatens to “bring the country into chaos”, the military indicated that they have “decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime”.

“For this purpose, the elections on August 26 and the manipulated results”announced one of the soldiers who spoke on behalf of the group.

“All the institutions of the Republic have been dissolved: the government, the Senate, the National Assembly and the constitutional Courtthey added.

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closed borders

The military, who said they were speaking on behalf of a “Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions”also announced that the borders of the country will remain “closed until further notice”.

They called on the population “to remain calm and collected and we reaffirm our commitment to respect the commitments of Gabon with the international community.

Among the military, there were members of the republican guard (GR), the Praetorian Guard of the Presidency recognizable by their green berets, as well as soldiers from the regular army and members of the police.

AFP journalists heard automatic weapons shots in the capital Libreville during the statement.

In the morning hours, the streets of Libreville they were deserted, AFP journalists observed.

In their message, the military denounced “irresponsible and unpredictable governance”.

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no observers

ali bongo He was running for a third term in the elections on Saturday, which included presidential, legislative and municipal elections.

According to the results released by the Gabonese Election Center (CGE), the main rival of Bongo drum, Albert Ondo Ossareached 30.77% of the votes.

ondo had denounced “frauds orchestrated by Bongo’s side” two hours before the close of voting, and claimed victory.

The election was held without the presence of international observers.

ondo69, had been elected eight days before the elections by the main platform of opposition parties, alternation 2023, after an arduous fight between six suitors.

This economics professor at the University of Libreville and former minister of Omar Bongohe only had six days to campaign.

The official results of the vote were released at 03:30 in the morning (02:30 GMT) by the state television without any prior notice.

The announcement was made in full curfew and with the internet cut off throughout the country, measures imposed by the government before the polls closed on Saturday to prevent dissemination. “fake news” and possible “acts of violence”.

The internet was restored hours after the military’s announcement.

Source: Elcomercio