Coup: Army Takes Over Power in Gabon After Election, Gives Reason
- Gabon has become the eighth African country to come under military rule in the 21st century as some army officers announced the taking over of power on Wednesday morning
- The development followed the announcement of the outcome of Saturday's election, where President Ali Bongo was announced the winner of the poll for the third term
- Bongo's family has been ruling the country for 53 years. He took over from his father who ruled the country for 40 years
Libreville, Gabon - The military has again staged a coup in another African country, Gabon, as army officers appeared on national television and announced the takeover from the democratic government.
According to The BBC, the coup leader annulled the outcome of Saturday's election, where the incumbent President, Ali Bongo, was declared re-elected and winner of the poll.
Source: Twitter
According to the electoral commission, Bongo won under two-thirds of the total votes cast, but the opposition argued that the poll was fraudulent.
How the military ended Bongo's family 53-year rule in Gabon
The development would end the 53-year hold on power by the family of Bongo in Gabon.
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In a broadcast on Wednesday morning, August 30, the military officers announced the cancellation of the election, alleging that the exercise lacked credibility.
The senior army officers also announced that all state institutions have been dissolved and the country's borders have been closed.
According to the senior officers, they represented all the country's security and defence forces.
Why military took over power in Gabon
One of the 12 senior military officers who spoke on behalf of the "Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions", said:
"We have decided to defend peace by ending the current regime."
The election was said to be barren of international observers while the government of Bongo suspended foreign broadcasts, cut off internet service and imposed night-time curfew across the country.
The decision of the overthrown government was informed by the concerns about the election on the position of transparency during the electoral process.
Sierra Leone’s alleged coup plot: The politics, police arrests so far
Legit.ng earlier reported that there has been rumour of a failed military coup in Sierra Leone, another ECOWAS country, while the region battles the military junta in the Niger Republic.
There has been heightened political tension in Sierra Leone following the outcome of the June 2023 presidential election in the West African country.
The police in the country have confirmed the arrest of some military and police personnel, but their details were yet to be unveiled.
Source: Legit.ng
