In Gabon, soldiers say they overthrew the government. A group of high-ranking officers said they had taken power in the African country. EU foreign policy chief Borrell looks at the events with concern.
There is apparently another military coup on the African continent. In Gabon, a group announced the “end of the current regime” in a televised speech. They declared that they had seized power in the country. The group, made up of representatives of the gendarmerie, the Republican Guard and other elements of the security forces, declared the presidential election invalid and called on the population to remain calm.
The twelve men also announced on the “Gabon 24” station that they would dissolve “all institutions of the republic”. The borders of the Central African country remained closed until further notice.
Gunshots in the capital, Libreville
The military justified the step with the “irresponsible, unpredictable governance” that has led to a “continuous decline in social cohesion” that threatens to plunge the country “into chaos”.
They stated that they spoke for the “Committee on Transition and Institutional Restoration”. Journalists from the AFP news agency reported shots in the capital, Libreville.
The Bongo clan has ruled for decades
Presidential and parliamentary elections took place in Gabon on Saturday. Before the televised speech by the military, the electoral commission had announced the victory of the incumbent, longtime head of state, Ali Bongo Ondimba.
The elections in the African country are considered controversial. Bongo Ondimba, 64, took over the presidency from his father in 2009. Overall, the Bongo clan has ruled the West African country for 55 years. Over the decades, he has become rich primarily from the oil and gas reserves in Gabon.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed concern at the EU defense ministers’ meeting in Toledo: “If the military coup were to be confirmed, it would further increase instability in the entire region.”
military government in Niger since July
There had recently been a military coup on the continent: at the end of July, the military took power in West African Niger. President-elect Mohamed Bazoum and his wife were detained in the Presidential Palace by the Presidential Guard – an elite military unit.
Behind the coup in Niger is the commander of the Guards, General Abdourahmane Tiani. He declared himself the new ruler, and a little later the putschists suspended the West African country’s constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.