The army declares a coup in Gabon and closes the country's borders world

Gabonese soldiers speak on television on August 30, 2023. Photo: Gabon 1ere/ Reuters.

The Gabonese army announced a coup on Wednesday (30) on national television, after the announcement of the results of the general elections in the country. Borders have also been closed, according to the group.

Senior Gabonese military officials turned to the national television network to claim power. If the coup is successful, it will be the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been in power for 14 years, and was re-elected with about 64% of the vote for a third term, according to the country’s electoral body.

The army stated during the televised statement that the elections in the country were canceled due to lack of credibility in the dispute.

“On behalf of the Gabonese people, we have decided to defend peace and put an end to the current regime,” the army said on television.

The group also announced the dissolution of all state institutions. According to the French news agency, gunfire was heard in the capital, Libreville. Internet service also experienced instability.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that he was following the issue and that the bloc should discuss the situation in Gabon.

“If confirmed, it is another military coup that increases instability in the region,” he added, adding that the situation is a big problem for Europe.

A French mining company operating in the country announced that it had suspended all operations due to the events.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba in a file photo – Photo: Tikasa Negeri/Reuters

Gabon is located in Central Africa, on the western coast of the continent. This is not the first time that the country’s president has been subjected to a coup attempt.

Recently, another African country faced a military coup, Niger. The military council seized power at the end of July. The country was one of the few democracies in the region known as the Sahel region, which covers a large area of the African continent.

In addition to Niger, Mali and Sudan are also under military command. Both countries are run by the Russia-linked Wagner Group.

Experts say that Africa has become an arena of conflict between Russia and the West, with competition for influence in the Sahel region. The abundant natural resources in some African countries are an important point of interest in the region.