President Ali Bongo detained as Gabon officers declare military coup

Bongo’s Family Dynasty Ousted after 56 Years in Power: Military Coup in Gabon

In a stunning turn of events, military officers in Gabon, an oil-producing Central African state, have successfully seized power and placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest. The coup came just moments after the country’s election body declared Bongo the winner of a controversial third term. The officers, representing the armed forces, made their declaration on national television, announcing the cancellation of the election results, the closure of borders, and the dissolution of state institutions. This move comes after a highly tense and divisive election that was set to prolong the Bongo family’s reign of over 50 years.

Brice Oligui Nguema, one of the officers who appeared to lead the group in a video, informed French newspaper Le Monde that he and other generals would convene a meeting to select a leader for the transitional government. Meanwhile, the streets of Gabon’s capital, Libreville, erupted with celebrations as hundreds of people lauded the military’s intervention. However, the African Union and France, Gabon’s former colonial ruler, expressed condemnation of the coup. France, which has troops stationed in Gabon, faces further uncertainty in the region after being expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso following previous coups.

The successful coup in Gabon would mark the eighth military takeover in West and Central Africa since 2020, with recent incidents occurring in Niger, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad. These power shifts not only undermine democratic progress achieved since the 1990s but also raise concerns for foreign powers with strategic interests in the region.

Gabon’s citizens, eager for change, celebrated the overthrow of the Bongo family’s decades-long rule. Jules Lebigui, a 27-year-old unemployed individual joining the jubilant crowds, expressed his joy at the prospect of a new chapter in Gabonese governance. Critics of the Bongo family claim that they have failed to distribute the country’s wealth derived from oil and mining activities among its 2.3 million people.

The coup leaders, identifying themselves as The Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions, issued a statement highlighting the severe crisis Gabon faces in terms of institutions, politics, economy, and society. They deemed the August 26 election invalid and claimed to have arrested President Bongo’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, among others, on charges of corruption and treason.

Republican Guard chief Nguema revealed that a leader had not yet been chosen but confirmed that a meeting would take place to decide on the transitional government’s leadership. He assured that ideas would be exchanged, with the best ones selected. Television footage showed Nguema being cheered on by soldiers, who chanted “Oligui president,” using one of his names.

As of now, the Gabonese government has not responded to the military’s actions, and President Bongo’s whereabouts remain unconfirmed. The successful coup adds further uncertainty to France’s presence in the region, with the country’s mining operations in Gabon already halted. Gabon produces around 200,000 barrels of oil per day, with international companies like TotalEnergies and Perenco heavily involved.

The transparency of the recent election in Gabon had been called into question due to the absence of international observers, the suspension of foreign broadcasts, and the implementation of internet shutdowns and a curfew following the vote. Bongo’s team vehemently denied allegations of fraud. Internet access in the country was restored shortly before the coup was announced.

Gabon’s dollar-denominated bonds experienced a significant dip in response to the coup, but later recovered slightly. The international community, including the African Union, China, and Russia, called for a swift return to stability. However, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed concern over the “contagion of autocracy” spreading across the African continent and stated that African leaders were working together to respond to the situation in Gabon.

In conclusion, the military coup in Gabon marks a pivotal moment in the country’s history, as the Bongo family’s long-standing political dynasty comes to an end. The aftermath of the coup poses challenges for both Gabon’s internal stability and the interests of foreign powers in the region. The path forward remains uncertain, but the hopes of Gabonese citizens for a new era of governance have been reignited.

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