African Union to discuss military coup in Gabon: Reports
2 Min Read
The African Union’s Peace and Security Council Chair Willy Nyamitwe said on Wednesday that he had urgently assembled a meeting with Burundi, Senegal and Cameroon to analyze the situation in Gabon.
-
African heads of state attend the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. (AP)
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union is scheduled to convene on Thursday to deliberate on the situation in Gabon after the military takeover of the Central African nation.
On the preceding Wednesday, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba secured his third term as the country's leader by winning 64.2% of the vote.
In response to the election body's announcement, the Gabonese military made a televised statement annulling the election results and dissolving all institutions, as reported by AFP. Consequently, the president has been confined to his residence.
In January 2019, Gabon experienced an unsuccessful coup attempt. During this incident, a faction of military officers seized control of a broadcasting facility in Libreville. They aired a message expressing discontent with the president's actions and declared the establishment of the National Restoration Council.
Shortly thereafter, reports emerged that the country's security forces had apprehended the insurgent military personnel. Guy-Bertrand Mapangou, the Communications Minister who also served as the acting government spokesperson, confirmed that four rebels had been arrested, while one managed to evade capture.
Last month, a coup took place in Niger on July 26. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his presidential guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who announced himself the country's new leader. Following the coup, ECOWAS suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened invasion if the ousted President isn't reinstated.
On August 20, during a public address, General Tchiani, who led the coup against ousted President Bazzoum, assured the Nigerien public that the transitionary period, from military to civilian rule, would not last for more than three years.
He also announced 30 days of "national dialogue" to gather concrete proposals for the establishment of a new constitutional framework.
