Key takeaways:
- A group of high-ranking military officers in Gabon announced on public television Wednesday that they were “putting an end to the current regime” and annulling the results of national elections.
- The officers declared that the election results were cancelled, all borders closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved.
- The attempted coup raises questions about the stability of the region and whether military coups are on the rise in Africa.
In a surprise move, a group of high-ranking military officers in Gabon announced on public television Wednesday that they were “putting an end to the current regime” and annulling the results of national elections.
The officers, who said they represented all security and defense forces in the Central African nation, declared that the election results were cancelled, all borders closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved.
The announcement came just after the country’s election authority declared President Ali Bongo Ondima the winner of another term in office.
Loud sounds of gunfire could be heard in the capital Libreville, a Reuters reporter said, after the television appearance.
President Bongo has been in power in the country for 14 years, following in the footsteps of his father who led the nation for more than four decades before him.
The attempted coup raises questions about the stability of the region and whether military coups are on the rise in Africa. It is unclear what the next steps will be for the Gabonese government and military, and how the international community will respond.
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