In a dramatic turn of events, the military forces of Gabon have seized power in a coup, announcing the annulment of the recent elections and the dissolution of state institutions.
The nation, located in West Africa, has been thrown into uncertainty as soldiers took to the airwaves to declare their takeover.
The coup announcement was broadcast on Gabon 24 television channel by a group of officers who claimed to represent all the security and defense forces of the central African nation.
The officers declared that the election results, which took place just days ago, were null and void. In addition, they announced the immediate closure of all borders and the dissolution of key state institutions, including the government, Senate, National Assembly, and Constitutional Court.
“In the name of the Gabonese people… we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” declared one of the officers during the televised address. He went on to assert that the general elections held on August 26, 2023, and their results were canceled by the new ruling authority.
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The coup has plunged the nation into a state of uncertainty and raised fears of potential violence and unrest. The military’s move comes shortly after the presidential, parliamentary, and legislative elections, where incumbent Ali Bongo and Ondo Ossa were among the 14 candidates vying for the top leadership position.
The elections were marked by tension, as the incumbent sought to extend his family’s long-standing control over Gabon’s political landscape, while opposition groups pressed for change in a nation grappling with poverty despite its oil and cocoa riches.
The electoral process had faced criticism due to several factors that raised concerns about transparency. A lack of international observers, the suspension of foreign broadcasts, as well as the authorities’ decision to cut internet services and impose a nationwide night-time curfew after the polls, all contributed to doubts about the fairness of the elections.
The sound of gunfire echoed through the capital city, Libreville, following the announcement of the coup. International news agencies Reuters and AFP reported that the city was engulfed in an atmosphere of uncertainty as citizens grappled with the sudden change in leadership.
As of now, there has been no official response from the ousted government or the newly declared ruling authority. The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Gabon, and the coup’s implications for stability in the region are being carefully assessed.
The swift and unexpected nature of the military’s takeover has left Gabonese citizens and the global community awaiting further developments and clarifications on the direction the nation will take under its new leadership.