A group of senior army officers in Gabon announced on Wednesday that they have seized power from President Ali Bongo, who has ruled the country for 14 years. The officers appeared on state television and declared the dissolution of institutions, the cancellation of elections, and the closure of borders until further notice. They also said that Bongo and his son, along with several ministers and advisors, were under house arrest and charged with high treason and corruption.
The coup came amid reports of gunfire in Libreville, the capital, where Bongo’s residence and the presidential palace are located. The officers claimed that Bongo was surrounded by his family and doctors and that one of his sons was arrested. They accused Bongo of mismanaging the country’s oil and other resources and failing to improve the lives of the people.
Bongo, who was re-elected president with 64.27% of the vote in a single-round election on Wednesday, according to the National Electoral Commission, has faced opposition and criticism from his rivals and civil society groups. His main challenger, Albert Ondo Osa, who secured 30.77% of the vote, while 12 other candidates received the rest, has denounced the election as fraudulent and called for a recount.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Egypt is following with interest the developments in Gabon and called on all parties to uphold the national interest and preserve the security, stability, and safety of the country. The ministry also urged the Egyptian community in Gabon to exercise caution and avoid areas of security tension, and to communicate with the Egyptian embassy to ensure their safety. Egypt expressed its aspiration to restore stability to Gabon as soon as possible and to preserve the safety of the brotherly Gabonese people.
