Main port in Gabon suspended, President under house arrest
3 Min Read
The main port of Gabon's capital, Libreville, has suspended operations following a military takeover triggered by the nullification of election results.
-
Residents applaud members of the security forces in the Plein Ciel district Libreville on August 30, 2023, after a group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television announcing they were "putting an end to the current regime" and scrapping official election results that had handed another term to veteran President Ali Bongo Ondimba (Photo by AFP)
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba is being detained at home, and one of his sons has been arrested for "treason," military officers announced on Wednesday, just hours after they said that the government has been overthrown.
"President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors," they said in a statement read out on state TV.
The two main leaders of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), Bongo's son and close advisor Noureddin Bongo Valentin, chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisors, have all "been arrested," according to a military leader.
Among other things, he claimed, they are charged with treason, theft, corruption, and forging the president's signature.
On another note, the primary port of Gabon, situated in the capital city of Libreville, has been forced to halt its operations following a sudden military takeover of the nation, AP reported citing Ambrey Maritime Risk Management Company.
This dramatic turn of events follows the contentious re-election of President Ali Bongo Ondimba earlier the same day.
The situation took a perilous turn as the country's military assumed control. The military leadership delivered a televised address, announcing the nullification of the election results and the dissolution of all republican institutions, AFP reported.
The military coup has raised concerns for the West whereby Josep Borrell, expressed apprehensions about the military takeover, highlighting its potential to destabilize the broader regional situation.
"I received the news early this morning. If this information is corroborated, it would signify another instance of a military coup, exacerbating instability throughout the region. While I lack comprehensive details at this point, it is certain that we will engage in deliberations if the matter is presented," Borrel said.
Gabon witnessed an alarming morning after a group of senior Gabonese military officers went live on television channel Gabon 24 on Wednesday and announced that they had taken power after it was declared that President Ali Bongo won a third term.
According to AFP journalists, gunfire was heard in the country's capital of Libreville.
Read more: French mining company Eramet halts all operations in Gabon after coup
Gabonese military officers further declared an announcement on television stating that the country's borders are closed as of now until further notice, while state institutions have been dissolved and remain out of operation.
This ensued after the military officials also said that the recent general elections were not credible or valid, and the results thus have been annulled. They continued to state that they represent all security and defense forces of Gabon.
Voters in Gabon were called to the polls on Saturday for a triple election, in which President Bongo Ondimba, a descendant of a family that has ruled for 55 years, is seeking victory over a belatedly united opposition.
Bongo took office in 2009, succeeding his father Omar, who died after more than 41 years in power.
