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Gabon Coup Leader Vows Democracy but Says It Will Take Time

General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led military officers in seizing power in Gabon, said the dissolution of the country's institutions was "temporary," amid pressure on the junta to hand power to a civilian government, Deutsche Welle reports.

"It is a question of reorganizing [institutions] in order to make them more democratic and more in line with international standards... for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law," he said in a televised address.

The African Union suspended Gabon on Thursday August 31, 2023 following a coup. The AU's political affairs, peace and security department said on X, formerly Twitter, that the country was suspended from participating in all its activities, organs and institutions until the restoration of constitutional order.

Military leaders in Gabon seized power on Wednesday August 30 and put the president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, under house arrest.

They rejected the results of the country's general elections, held last weekend, saying it was fraudulent.

The African Union and the United Nations have condemned the coup, while the United States and Nigeria have said they are watching the situation closely. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the military to protect press freedim and journalists' safety.

Hours after military officers said they overthrew the government, a video apparently showing President Ali Bongo saying he is under house arrest was shared on social media.

Gabon: Gabon Coup Leader Vows Democracy but Says It Will Take Time

DW, 2 September 2023

The dissolution of Gabon's institutions is "temporary" and is aimed at making them "more democratic," said General Brice Oligui Nguema, without providing a clear path toward… Read more »
Gabon: Coup in Gabon - Ali Bongo the Eighth West African Leader to Be Ousted By Military in Two Years

The Conversation Africa, 1 September 2023

Gabon's prime minister, Ali Bongo, has become the latest in a string of African leaders to be ousted by a military coup in recent years. Bongo, who had just won a third term in… Read more »
Gabon: Gabon Coup - Bongo's Rule Ended By Failed Promises and Shifting Alliances

The Conversation Africa, 1 September 2023

The Bongo family's 56 year hold on power in Gabon was abruptly brought to an end with a military coup on 30 August. The military takeover happened hours after election results were… Read more »
Gabon: African Union Suspends Gabon After Military Coup

DW, 31 August 2023

The military leaders said strongman Brice Oligui Nguema would be sworn in next week as "transitional president." Meanwhile, the country's main opposition alliance urged the… Read more »
Central Africa: Regional Bloc Calls for 'Return of Constitutional Order' in Gabon

VOA, 31 August 2023

The Central African regional bloc ECCAS Thursday condemned the use of force to resolve political conflicts as it called for a rapid return to constitutional order in Gabon. Read more »
Africa: Tinubu Expresses Deep Concern About Coup in Gabon

This Day, 30 August 2023

* Declares power belongs to people and not barrel of a loaded gun Read more »
Gabon: Washington Following Gabon 'Closely' After Military Detains President

VOA, 30 August 2023

Washington is following events in Libreville "very, very closely," the White House said Wednesday, hours after military officers in the West African nation of Gabon seized power… Read more »
Gabon: UN Chief 'Firmly Condemns' Gabon Coup, Notes Reports of Election Abuses

UN News, 30 August 2023

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday firmly condemned the on-going coup attempt in Gabon, while acknowledging that "serious infringements of fundamental freedoms" appear to have… Read more »
Gabon: CPJ Calls On Military in Gabon to Ensure Press Freedom and Journalists' Safety Following Coup

CPJ, 30 August 2023

Following the military coup in Gabon that removed President Ali Bongo from power on Wednesday, August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: Read more »
Gabon: Gabon - Military Seizes Power After Reelection of Ali Bongo

DW, 30 August 2023

A group of military officers in Gabon said they had dissolved state institutions and placed President Bongo under house arrest. The ousted leader has called for his supporters to… Read more »
Central Africa: Gabon Coup Ignites Debate On Central Africa's Long-Serving Leaders

VOA, 30 August 2023

The apparent military coup in Gabon Wednesday is raising concern about the future of countries in the Central African economic bloc CEMAC, which has some of the world's longest… Read more »

Video

30 August 2023

Gabon President Bongo In House Arrest - Video

Publisher:

allAfrica.com

Publication Date:

This video apparently shows Gabon President Ali Bongo saying he is under house arrest after military officers said they overthrew his administration. ... see more »

Gabon: Decades-Long Dynastic Leadership in Jeopardy After Coup

VOA, 30 August 2023

Gabon, an oil-rich coastal country in Central Africa, has found itself at the center of global attention as military officers in the nation declared they had seized power in an… Read more »
Gabon: African Union Condemns Attempted Coup

African Union, 30 August 2023

August 30, 2023 : The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat is following with great concern the situation in Gabon and strongly condemns the attempted coup… Read more »
Gabon: Army Officers Appear on Television, Say They Have Claimed Power

allAfrica, 30 August 2023

A group of senior military officers have gone on national television in Gabon saying they have seized power, Al Jazeera reports. Read more »