BREAKING: Gabon President Ali Bongo Under House Arrest, Coup Leaders Give Update
- The Gabon coup leaders have disclosed that President Ali Bongo is currently under house arrest after he was toppled on Wednesday morning
- According to the military leader, the son of the dethroned president has also been arrested for allegedly committing treason
- The military nullified the recent election in the country, in which Bongo was declared the winner and re-elected for the third term
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Libreville, Gabon - The army in Gabon has disclosed that the ousted President of the country, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is under house arrest.
The military, in an update on on Wednesday, August 30, also announced that Ondimba's son has been arrested for alleged treason.
According to France24, the military leaders made this known on national television after announcing that they were “putting an end to the current regime”.
Source: Facebook
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.
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According to the electoral commission, Bongo won under two-thirds of the total votes cast, but the opposition has argued that the poll was fraudulent.
How the military ends 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.
In a broadcast on Wednesday morning, August 30, the military officers announced the cancellation of the election they considered not credible,
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 concerns over the last election informed the decision of the overthrown government.
Source: Legit.ng
