Gabon Military Seizes Power, Placing President Ali Bongo Under House Arrest

Military Officers Seize Power in Gabon, Placing President Ali Bongo Under House Arrest

LIBREVILLE, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Military officers in Gabon have taken control of the country, placing President Ali Bongo under house arrest and declaring a new leader. The officers made their announcement on television, stating that they represented the armed forces and that the election results were cancelled. They also closed the borders and dissolved state institutions. The move comes after the Central African state’s election body declared Bongo the winner of a third term, a decision that was met with controversy and protests.

General Brice Oligui Nguema, former head of the presidential guard, has been appointed as the new leader by unanimous vote among the generals. Meanwhile, Bongo, who is currently detained in his residence, released a video statement appealing for support from foreign allies. He expressed confusion about the situation and called for assistance on behalf of his family.

The military takeover in Gabon marks the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020 and the second in as many months, following Niger. This trend of military coups has raised concerns among foreign powers with strategic interests in the region, as it erases the democratic gains made since the 1990s.

The coup has been met with mixed reactions within Gabon. While hundreds of people celebrated the military’s intervention in the streets of the capital, Libreville, the United Nations, African Union, and France, Gabon’s former colonial ruler, condemned the coup. France, which has troops stationed in Gabon, expressed concern over the situation and condemned the military takeover.

Gabon’s political landscape has been dominated by the Bongo family for over 56 years. Ali Bongo took over as president in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled since 1967. Critics argue that the family has not adequately shared the country’s oil and mining wealth with its population of 2.3 million.

The military officers, who refer to themselves as The Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions, cited a severe crisis in Gabon’s institutions, politics, economy, and society as their reason for seizing power. They also claimed to have arrested President Bongo’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and others for corruption and treason.

The coup has created uncertainty for France’s presence in the region, as the country has already been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso following previous coups. French miner Eramet has halted operations in Gabon, where it has significant manganese operations.

Gabon is an oil-producing country, with daily production of about 200,000 barrels. International companies, including France’s TotalEnergies and Anglo-French producer Perenco, have operations in the country. Concerns about the transparency of the recent election were raised due to the lack of international observers, the suspension of foreign broadcasts, and the imposition of internet cuts and a night-time curfew. Bongo’s team has denied allegations of fraud.

As of now, the internet has been restored in Gabon, and international broadcasts have resumed. However, the junta has announced that the curfew will remain in place until further notice.

Shortly before the coup announcement, the election authority declared Bongo the winner of the election with 64.27% of the vote, while his main challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa, secured 30.77%.

Gabon’s dollar-denominated bonds experienced a significant drop following the coup, but they have since recovered slightly.

The situation in Gabon continues to develop, with international organizations and foreign powers closely monitoring the events and calling for a swift return to stability.

Additional reporting by Alessandra Prentice, Edward McAllister, Elizabeth Pineau, Felix Onuah, Sofia Christensen, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Liz Lee, and Ingrid Melander.

How can the international community ensure a peaceful transition of power and respect for human rights in Gabon, in light of the military coup

Elves as the Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon, have promised to restore democracy and ensure the well-being of the Gabonese people. However, it remains to be seen what their intentions and plans are for the country.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Gabon, especially given the recent surge in military coups in the region. There are concerns that this trend could destabilize the region and hinder the progress made towards democratic governance.

As the situation unfolds, it is uncertain how the Gabonese people will ultimately react to the military takeover. While some have expressed support and hope for change, others are wary of the military’s intentions and the potential implications for their country.

The Bongo family’s long-standing rule and allegations of corruption and inequality have undoubtedly played a role in the unrest and discontent within Gabon. It remains to be seen whether the military will provide a viable alternative or exacerbate the existing problems.

As the international community condemns the coup, there will likely be increased pressure on the military to ensure a peaceful transition of power and respect for human rights. It is crucial for stability and democracy in Gabon that this situation is resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with the will of the Gabonese people.

Overall, the military’s seizure of power in Gabon has raised serious concerns both domestically and internationally. The future of the country hangs in the balance, and it is essential that all parties involved work towards a peaceful and democratic resolution.