Gabon Coup: Global reactions trail Ali Bongo’s removal as President
.. Gabonese citizens take to the streets to celebrate the military over coup
.. Gabon military arrests Bongo’s son for treason
… Rwanda, Cameroon carry out major changes in military
… Why we removed Ali Bongo – Army
By Aremu Sosanya with Agency report
The international community, yesterday, expressed concern and deplored the upwelling wave of military coups in Africa, as Gabon became the seventh African country to fall to a military coup.
Gabonese army officers, under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, CTRI, yesterday, sacked President Ali Bongo, placed him under house arrest and took over power in the oil-rich Central African country.
The leaders of the coup in Gabon have named Republican Guard Chief, General Brice Oligui Nguema, as transitional president, according to a TV statement.
“General Oligui Nguema Brice was unanimously appointed chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, chairman of the transition,” declared an officer in the presence of dozens of senior officers, according to the press release read out on Gabon 24.
With Gabon, the number of countries in Africa under military rule in the last two years has jumped to seven. The others are Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan and Niger.
As the ousted Ali Bongo cried out for help, the Gabon coup elicited immediate reactions from President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria; the United Nations, UN; European Union, EU; African Union, AU; Commonwealth; United States of America, US; Russia; and France, who deplored the putsch.
While French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, said her government was following events in Gabon “with the greatest attention,” Russia said it was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Gabon.
China called for “all sides” in Gabon to guarantee the safety of Bongo, “resolve differences through dialogue, (and) restore normal order as soon as possible.”
The French mining group, Eramet, which employs 8,000 people in Gabon, said it had halted activities in the country “for the safety of staff and the security of operations.”
UN chief condemns Gabon military coup — Spokesman
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, condemned the military takeover in Gabon, following elections, his spokesman said.
Guterres “firmly condemns the ongoing coup attempt as a means to resolve the post-electoral crisis” and reaffirms “his strong opposition to military coups,” said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Situation in Gabon, a big issue for Europe – EU’s Borrell
The European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, said EU defence ministers would discuss the situation in Gabon.
Borrell added that if a coup was confirmed in Gabon, it would heap more instability on the region.
Speaking at a meeting of EU defence ministers in Toledo, Borrell said: “If this is confirmed, it is another military coup which increases instability in the whole region.
“The whole area, starting with Central African Republic, then Mali, then Burkina Faso, now Niger, maybe Gabon, it’s in a very difficult situation and certainly the ministers have to have a deep thought on what is going on there and how we can improve our policy in respect to these countries.
“This is a big issue for Europe.’’
African Union deplores coup in Gabon
The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also said he “strongly condemns” what he described as an attempted coup in Gabon.
Rebel officers in the oil-rich central African state announced earlier yesterday they had seized power, following disputed elections in what Faki also described as a “flagrant violation” of the legal and political instruments of the African Union.
US watching Gabon — White House
The United States equally said it was closely watching the situation in Gabon following a military coup.
“It’s deeply concerning. We are going to watch this closely, and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to support the idea of democratic ideals that are expressed by the African people,” said White House national security spokesman, John Kirby.
Commonwealth says Gabon coup ‘deeply concerning’
The Commonwealth voiced fears about the military coup in Gabon, which joined the grouping last year, saying it was monitoring the situation closely.
The Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, said the situation was “deeply concerning”, adding that “the Commonwealth Charter is clear that member states must uphold the rule of law and the principles of democracy at all times.”
Russia ‘deeply concerned’ – Kremlin
Similarly, the Kremlin said it was concerned by events in Gabon, where military officers announced they had deposed President Ali Bongo.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation in Gabon. We are closely following what is going on there,” Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said.
France condemns Gabon coup
France condemned the toppling of Ali Bongo, which could represent another setback for Paris in Africa where friendly governments have been falling in an “epidemic” of coups.
‘’France condemns the military coup that is under way in Gabon,” government spokesman, Olivier Veran, told reporters in Paris yesterday.
Veran said France was following events “with a lot of attention” and that it “reiterates its desire to see the results of the election respected,” referring to Saturday’s disputed presidential polls in the West African country.
Gabon’s electoral authority had announced earlier yesterday that Bongo, a French ally whose family has ruled oil-rich Gabon for 55 years, had won a third term with 64.27 per cent of the vote.
France has around 400 soldiers permanently deployed in the country for training and military support, including at a base in the capital, and has extensive economic ties to the country in the mining and oil sectors.
Gabonese citizens take to the streets to celebrate the military over coup (Photos/Video)
Gabonese citizens take to the streets to celebrate the military over coup (Photos/Video)
Gabonese citizens have taken to the streets to celebrate members of the security forces in the country after the military ousted President Ali Bongo following his re-election after spending 53 years in power.
The joyous citizens were seen in the Plein Ciel district Libreville celebrating a group of Gabonese military officers.
Gabonese citizens take to the streets to celebrate the military over coup
Top Gabonese military officers appeared on television on Wednesday morning, August 30, to announce that they had taken power.
Bongo’s son and close adviser Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisers, and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) “have been arrested,” a military leader said.
They are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption, and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations, he said.
The military also scrapped the official Saturday, August 26 election results that had handed another term to ousted President Ali Bongo
Why we removed Ali Bongo – Army
Gabonese army soldiers operating under the auspices of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions explained why they will be replacing President Ali Bongo as the nation’s leader on national television on Wednesday.
Putschists said their action was “necessary” for the development of the central African nation and that significant institutional, political, economic, and social difficulties were the main causes of it.
“Our lovely country, Gabon, has always been a refuge of peace,” the junta said in a speech delivered to the entire country in French but translated into English by AFP.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis.
“We are therefore forced to admit that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.
“Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.
“Today, 30 August 2023, we, the defence and security forces, gathered as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions’ protection — have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime.
“To this end, the general elections of 26 August 2023 and the truncated results are cancelled.
“The borders are closed until further notice.
The junta resolved that all of the institutions of the country be dissolved including the Federal Government, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the Gabonese Elections Centre.
They therefore called for calm and serenity from the public, the communities of sister countries settled in Gabon, and the Gabonese diaspora.
“We reaffirm our commitment to respecting Gabon’s commitments to the national and international community.
“People of Gabon, we are finally on the road to happiness.
“May God and the spirits of our ancestors bless Gabon. Honour and loyalty to our homeland.”
