Unfolding Gabon Coup: Timeline
The election in Gabon was intended to be successful. Numerous people awoke on Saturday, August 26th, to vote in a general election that the opposition deemed illegitimate.
The results of the presidential election were announced early Wednesday morning, with incumbent President Ali Bongo prevailing once again. A few hours later, however, the situation took an unexpected turn when the military announced a takeover.
The address occurred mere moments after the national election authority announced that Bongo had won a third term with 64.27 percent of the vote in Saturday’s election.
The soldiers of the insurrection declared the dissolution of the government, including its most important institutions.
Members of the company were drawn from the gendarmerie, the republican guard, and other security forces.
Albert Ondo Ossa, Bongo’s primary opponent, received only 30.77 percent of the vote, according to results released before the officers’ announcement.
After military officers reportedly seized authority in Gabon, Internet connectivity was reportedly restored.
Ambrey, a private intelligence firm, reported that all operations at the country’s major port in Libreville had been suspended, with authorities refusing to allow vessels to depart. It was initially unclear whether airlines operated in the territory.
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The French mining company Eramet states that operations in Gabon have ceased.
First effective coup in Central Africa
Due to its hydrocarbon revenues and relatively small population of 2.3 million, Gabon is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa in terms of per capita GDP.
France has viewed Ali Bongo as a trusted ally. There has been a spate of coups in West African nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and most recently Gabon. In recent years, this is the first rebellion in the Central African region.
In his annual Independence Day address on August 17, Bongo stated, “While our continent has been shaken by violent crises in recent weeks, rest assured that I will never allow you and our country Gabon to become hostages to destabilization attempts. Never”
The overthrow of Mr. Bongo would terminate the 56-year rule of his family in Gabon.
Gabon, unlike Niger and two other West African nations ruled by military juntas, had been viewed as relatively stable and free of jihadi violence.
Despite this, the economic and social climate has left many disillusioned. According to the World Bank, in 2020, nearly 40 percent of Gabonese aged 15 to 24 were unemployed.
Gabon is an OPEC member and produces approximately 181,000 barrels of bitumen per day, making it the eighth-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa.
At a time when anti-French sentiment is growing in many former colonies, Bongo met President Macron in Paris at the end of June and shared photographs of them grasping hands. France has approximately 400 soldiers in the country.
Unfolding Gabon Coup: Timeline
