A group of senior Gabonese military officers have made a dramatic appearance on national television, declaring their seizure of power from President Ali Bongo.
Gabon has been ruled with a tight grip by the Bongo family, with Omar Bongo becoming the small African nation’s second president, ruling for a staggering 42 years, from 1967 to 2009, with the mantle of leadership passing unto his son Ali who ruled for 14 years from 2009 until his ouster from power in August 2023.
The claim of the coup leaders centers on the recent general election, which they argue lacks credibility, asserting that they represent all of Gabon’s security and defense forces.
In a televised address, they announced the cancellation of election results, the immediate closure of all borders, and the dissolution of state institutions. As they spoke, the unmistakable sounds of gunfire echoed through the capital, Libreville, as reported by a Reuters journalist.
This sudden turn of events raises questions:
Is Gabon about to experience another coup, reminiscent of the attempted coup in 2019?
In January 2019, the Armed Forces of Gabon announced a coup d’état, attempting to oust President Ali Bongo. This move came after Bongo’s controversial re-election in 2016, marked by protests and allegations of election irregularities. During this period, President Bongo was out of the country, receiving medical treatment in Morocco.
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Amid these developments, armed rebels in Libreville took hostages and declared the establishment of a “National Restoration Council” with the aim of “restoring democracy in Gabon.” Widespread internet outages occurred, but it remains unclear whether this was instigated by the rebels or civilians.
Significantly, on January 6, 2019, just before the coup attempt, then-U.S. President Donald Trump deployed 80 U.S. troops to Gabon. This move was driven by concerns about potential violent protests in the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The coup was swiftly put down by Gabonese security forces. They reasserted control by assaulting the national broadcaster, Radio Télévision Gabonaise, where pro-coup forces had taken refuge. In the ensuing confrontation, two pro-coup soldiers lost their lives, and hostages were taken, though they were later released by Gabonese officials.
Despite the chaos, government officials declared that the situation was “under control,” with rebels either arrested or on the run. Internet connectivity was temporarily restored and then fully reinstated the following day.
Security Minister Guy-Bertrand Mapangou confirmed the arrests of eight individuals, who were subsequently handed over to the public prosecutor.
At the time, the government of Gabon announced President Bongo’s impending return to the country, signaling the preservation of his administration.
Now, with the recent declaration by military officers, the nation is once again in a state of uncertainty. The question on many minds is whether this latest attempt to seize power will succeed or follow the same path as the failed coup of 2019.