In a swift and dramatic turn of events, Gabon’s military has announced General Brice Oligui Nguema as the new head of state, following the successful overthrow of the 14-year government of President Ali Bongo. The coup comes after a tense election that was poised to extend the Bongo family’s decades-long rule over the nation.
President Ali Bongo, who had been in power for 14 years, now finds himself under house arrest in his palace. His wife and son are also reported to be detained in undisclosed locations.
The military officers, representing the armed forces, made their declaration on national television. They announced the cancellation of election results, the closure of borders, and the dissolution of state institutions. This move follows a controversial vote that was set to solidify the Bongo family’s more than 50-year grip on power.
Soon after the announcement, a meeting of generals was convened to discuss the leadership transition. Through a unanimous vote, General Oligui Nguema, former head of the presidential guard, was chosen to lead the nation during this period of transition. This decision was confirmed in another televised address.
Notably, General Nguema is reported to be a cousin of Ali Bongo, adding an intriguing familial dimension to the situation.
In a plea from his confined residence, ousted President Bongo issued a video statement, reaching out to foreign allies and requesting their support for him and his family. Bongo expressed confusion over the unfolding events.
The rapid shift in Bongo’s fate is in stark contrast to the initial hours of Wednesday when the electoral commission declared him the winner of the disputed Saturday vote.
The Gabonese capital, Libreville, witnessed celebratory scenes as hundreds of people took to the streets to applaud the military intervention. In response, the United Nations, African Union, and France – Gabon’s former colonial ruler with stationed troops in the country – united in condemning the coup.
Gabon’s military takeover marks the eighth instance in West and Central Africa since 2020, and the second within two months – following Niger. This series of military interventions has encompassed countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad, erasing democratic strides achieved since the 1990s. Concerns have arisen among foreign powers with strategic interests in the region, given the repercussions of these developments.
