In a video from detention in his residence, President Ali Bongo Ondimba called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead ce…
LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Mutinous soldiers in Gabon proclaimed their republican guard chief as the country’s leader Wednesday after placing the just-reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, alleging betrayal and massive embezzlement during his long-time rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.
Coup leaders said there would be a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time but that people would be allowed to move about freely during the day on Thursday. The former French colony is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few — and nearly 40% of Gabonese aged 15 to 24 were out of work in 2020, according to the World Bank. Its oil export revenue was $6 billion in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Bongo family has been associated with “systematic misappropriation of state revenues,” but the latest events “should be viewed with great caution, as they offer no guarantee of good governance and democratic transition,” Sherpa said in a statement. The president pleaded for support in a video showing him sitting in a chair with a bookshelf behind him.
Ossa, the opposition leader, told The AP he wasn’t ready to comment and was waiting for the situation to evolve.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gabon military coup explained as President Ali Bongo overthrownArmy officers took to national TV in the west African state on Wednesday morning to say they had assumed control, in the latest military takeover in the region.
Read more »
Gabon President Ali Bongo wins third term after disputed electionPresident Ali Bongo has won a third term in the presidential election with 64.27% of the vote, the Gabonese Election Centre (CGE) said on Wednesday, after a delay-plagued general election that the opposition has denounced as fraudulent.
Read more »
Military Officers Claim They Have Ousted Gabon’s PresidentThe rebellion comes amid multiple coups and rising anti-French sentiment in France’s former colonies on the continent.
Read more »
Gabon President Becomes Latest Western Military Ally to Fall in CoupMilitary officers said they had ousted President Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the oil-rich country since 1967.
Read more »
Gabon military announces takeover, dissolution of government on live TVGabonese military officers say the African country's borders are closed until further notice and state institutions are dissolved.
Read more »
Gabon military officers claim to have seized power after electionA group of senior Gabonese military officers on Wednesday appeared on national television and said they had seized power due to the recent general election lacking credibility and said they represented all security and defense forces of Gabon.
Read more »