Gabon: Soldiers Seize Radio Station in Attempted Coup - Reports

7 January 2019

Soldiers in the Gabon army are being reported to be attempting a coup after taking over a radio station in the capital of Libreville.

Al Jazeera reports that shots were fired after the troops announced it is setting up a "restoration council", in response to President Ali Bongo's New Year statement from Morocco.

Bongo spoke from Morocco for the first time since having a stroke in October.

Reuters reports the president slurred some of his words in his speech and didn't move his right arm.

Earlier it was reported that the U.S. deployed soldiers to Gabon in response to possible violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo following a disputed election.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.