In a significant turn of events, a group of more than ten officers in Gabon announced early this Wednesday the nullification of the recent presidential election results. The election had confirmed incumbent Ali Bongo as the nation’s leader for another term. The military also declared the dissolution of all republic institutions, in a statement broadcast on the Gabonese TV station, “Gabon 24.”
Amid a reported deterioration in the social situation that might “lead the country into chaos,” the officers justified their drastic step to “defend peace by ending the existing regime,” according to journalists from France Press Agency who heard gunfire in the capital, Libreville, during the announcement.
This extraordinary development follows Bongo’s third consecutive win in the presidential election, where he secured 64.27% of the votes, according to the National Electoral Commission. Bongo, who has been ruling Gabon for 14 years, had a clear victory over his primary opponent, Pierre Ondo Ossa, who garnered 30.77% of the vote. The remaining candidates collectively secured what was left, with voter turnout reported at 56.65%, as per the French Agency.
In an unprecedented move, the group, which named itself the “Transitional Phase and Institutional Renewal Committee,” has also announced the closure of Gabon’s borders until further notice.
The coup has raised new concerns about the stability of Gabon, a central African country rich in natural resources like oil and timber but plagued by social inequalities. Ali Bongo took over leadership from his father Omar Bongo, who ruled the nation for more than four decades. Critics have long accused the Bongo family of authoritarian rule, economic mismanagement, and corruption, which might have contributed to the military’s decision to step in.
While it’s yet to be seen how this bold move will shape the future of Gabon, the international community watches cautiously. With a long history of political stability relative to its African neighbors, this coup signifies a monumental shift that could have ripple effects throughout the region and potentially alter the geopolitical landscape.
