This video grab taken from Gabon 24 shows Gabonese soldiers appearing on television on August 30, 2023 announcing they were "putting an end to the current regime" and the cancellation of an election that, according to official results, President Ali Bongo Ondimba won. - During the announcement, AFP journalists heard gunfire ring out in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. While announcing the cancellation of the results one of the soldiers announced the dissolution of "all the institutions of the republic". "We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime", one of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24, adding that he was speaking on behalf of the "Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions". "To this end, the general elections of 26 August 2023 and the truncated results are cancelled," he added. "All the institutions of the republic are dissolved: the government, the Senate, the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court," he added, announcing the closure of the country's borders "until further notice". Among the soldiers were members of the Republican Guard as well as soldiers of the regular army and police officers. (Photo by - / Gabon 24 / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / GABON 24" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / GABON 24" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS /
politics

Coup in Gabon: Army officers seize power, end Bongo’s 53-year reign

August 30, 2023
Eagle

Military officers have overthrown President Ali Bongo of Gabon, ending the Bongo family’s 53-year control of political power in the country.

In a national broadcast, 12 soldiers announced the ouster of Mr Bongo.

The coup plotters introduced themselves as the “Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions.”

“In the name of the Gabonese people… we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the coup plotters declared, dissolving the electoral body, national assembly and constitutional court.

Mr Bongo took over power in 2009 after his father, Omar Bongo, died.

Though he suffered a stroke in 2018, sparking calls for him to step down, Mr. Bongo held on to power, conducting another election and was declared winner on Saturday.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *