Another coup in Gabon: Military seizes power, nullifies Presidential election, closes borders

August 30, 2023 Samuel Abasiekong African Politics 0

By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong

A group of military officers have today the 30th day of August 2023 uninstalled the Bongo family rule in the Republic of Gabon.

The Republic of Gabon a french colony in central Africa has been ruled by Ondimba family few years after the independence of the country in 1960.

The father of the deposed President was in power since 1967 and have rule Gabon for 42 years. Umar Bongo Ondimba died in 2009 and his son Ali now sick, incapacitated and unable to walk succeeded him, but govern the country from his sickbed from Paris in France.

Being unpleased by the process and outcome of last weekend election held on August 26, a group of military officers came together and seize power shortly after incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba was announced winner.

Ali Bongo was poised to start a fresh 3rd term of 7 years according the amended constitution drafter by his father to stay longer in power.

Ali Bongo who is suffering from stroke used all funny tactics to organized the Presidential election. for himself.

To keep the world out of the electoral process, he was alleged to have shut down the Internet in the country. Gave order and the names of candidates were removed from the ballot papers. He stopped international observers and journalists from covering the elections. He allegedly used all sorts of delay tactics to ensure electoral officers reported very late to the polling units.
But even at that, reports say the opposition still won, but the electoral body announced Ali Bongo.

As it stands, the election results has been cancelled and the entire process nullified.

The military have taken over. They have closed all sea, land and air routes to Gabon.

There was an unsuccessful Military coup recently in Gabon, but today’s coup has indeed unsettled the Ondimba family rule in the country.

“We’re putting an end to the regime in place,” the soldiers said.

The dethronement of Ali Bongo is another direct affront to France who controls the polity, governance and all governments in UDEAC – the Union for Central Africa States (the a regional community in central Africa such as ECOWAS is West Africa).
The UDEAC countries are: Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo (Brazzaville), Republic of Central Africa – RCA.

The frequency of military coup in recent times appears to set administrative reform in the CEMAC (Central African Economic Monetary Community) zone otherwise known as the CFA zone which are french language speaking countries.

So far successful coup in CEMAC zone are: Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Gabon.

As at press time the military officer who will lead Gabon government is not publicized yet.

Samuel Abasiekong, French & English languages Journalist, Researcher, Public Affairs Analyst.
Email: abasiekongabasiekong@gmail.com
+234 8062700985

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