About six hours that military in Gabon have announced a total take over and cancellation of the election, they have placed President Ali Bngo under house arrest.
GOVIMA reported that on Wednesday, the soldiers cited institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup.
They added that Bongo’s administration had been reduced to an “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.
The coupist also announced that one of his sons has been arrested for “treason”. Adding that they represent all security and defence forces in the Central African nation, added that Bongo is “surrounded by his family and doctors”.
Put the Internet on hold….
The Gabon government had announced a nationwide curfew and cut off internet access. Later, the country’s political opposition party has faulted the results, describing it as fraud.
The Military storm taking over in Africa continues. The Gabon coup is happening a month after President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic was toppled by a military junta.
The Mali coup occurred on May 24, 2021. Malian coup d’état unfolded as the Malian Army, under the leadership of Vice President Assimi Goïta, successfully apprehended President Bah N’daw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, and Minister of Defence Souleymane Doucouré. Assimi Goïta, declared the removal of powers from N’daw and Ouane.
Burkina Faso is no different. In January 2022, Burkina Faso experienced a coup d’état. This event was driven by the Burkinabé government’s failure to effectively counter the ongoing jihadist insurgency in the country. A faction of army officers orchestrated the overthrow of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Subsequently, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, a military junta, took control, with Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba assuming leadership.
Amidst these military takeovers, ECOWAS is working assiduously to make sure that, at least in West Africa, Peace is possible. Negotiations instigated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to relinquish power to Bazoum have been ongoing since his deposition on July 26.