The French government has expressed its concern about the situation in Gabon. EU foreign policy chief Borrell said another military coup would increase instability in the sub-Saharan region. Gabon’s President Bongo is apparently under house arrest.
The military coup in Gabon has sparked international concern. The French government immediately condemned the seizure of power by soldiers. France reiterated its desire that the results of last weekend’s elections in Gabon “can be respected as soon as they are known,” said government spokesman Olivier Véran in Paris.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said France was following the situation in the Central African country “with the utmost attention”. According to the French Ministry of Defence, around 400 French soldiers are constantly deployed in Gabon, some of them in the capital Libreville.
The French mining group Eramet temporarily stopped its activities in Gabon to protect its employees and facilities. Eramet employs around 8,000 people in the country, most of whom are Gabonese.
Borrell: Gabon “in a very difficult situation”
In view of the news from Central Africa, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also expressed concern. Another military coup would increase instability across the region, Borrell said ahead of an informal meeting of EU defense and foreign ministers in Toledo, Spain. At the same time, he emphasized that the situation was still unclear. The events in Gabon would undoubtedly come up on the table, Borrell said.
The entire sub-Saharan region starting with the Central African Republic, then Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and now possibly Gabon is “in a very difficult situation”. The EU government representatives would have to think about how they could improve their policies towards these states. “This is a big issue for Europe,” said Borrell.
China demands protection for head of state Bongo
China called for the protection of President Ali Bongo Ondimba and the “restoration of normal order”. China is calling on “all sides” to “resolve differences through dialogue,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. Bongo’s personal safety must be guaranteed and peace and stability maintained, he added.
Russia was also “deeply concerned” about the coup d’etat in Gabon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “closely follows what is happening there”.
Bongo under house arrest, son arrested
Military representatives announced on Gabonese television that morning that the “regime” under President Ali Bongo Ondimba had been deposed. They later announced that Bongo had been placed under house arrest and that his son and other government officials had been arrested. Bongo is accused of treason, the group of high-ranking officers said on state television.
Immediately before the military coup, the national electoral authority had declared Bongo the winner of last Saturday’s elections. The 64-year-old received 64.27 percent of the votes and was thus able to secure a third term in office. Bongo’s family has ruled oil-rich Gabon for more than 55 years. Bongo himself has been in power for 14 years.