Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Information Minister in Pakistani-administered Kashmir: Five civilians killed and at least 29 others injured in shelling across the border with India
Israeli Army Radio's diplomatic correspondent quoted a senior Israeli official as saying: So he [Trump] decided to cut off contact. That might still change, but that’s the situation right now
Israeli Army Radio's diplomatic correspondent quoted a senior Israeli official as saying: Trump’s circle told him [Dermer] that Netanyahu was manipulating him, and there’s nothing Trump hates more than being portrayed as someone being played
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: Meetings between the Israelis, Egyptians, and Qataris are all centered around the Israeli proposal, which does not guarantee an end to the war [on Gaza]
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: “Israel” is threatening to expand the ground offensive if Hamas rejects the proposal
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: Hamas rejects the Israeli proposal, viewing it as failing to guarantee an end to the war
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: “Israel” is sticking to its proposal, and insists there is no alternative offer on the table for negotiation
Senior Palestinian official to Al Mayadeen: The meetings between the Israelis and the Egyptians and Qataris all revolve around the Israeli proposal
The administration was clearly looking for an off-ramp for this campaign against Ansar Allah, NBC News reports, citing US official
Trump's operation against Ansar Allah cost more than $1 billion, NBC News reports, citing US official

We canceled election results to prevent 'bloodshed': Gabon new leader

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Sep 2023 20:17
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The leader of the transitional phase in Gabon says after the constitution is drafted, electoral systems will be put in place, and elections will be held directly afterward.

  • x
  • Gabon
    The leader of the transitional phase in Gabon, General Brice Oligui Nguema (AFP)

The leader of the transitional phase in Gabon, General Brice Oligui Nguema, vowed on Sunday to craft a new constitution for the country, which everyone partakes in its drafting.

During a press conference attended by representatives of local and international media, Nguema indicated that after the constitution is drafted, electoral systems will be put in place, and elections will be held directly afterward.

General Nguema reiterated that ousted President Ali Bongo won the presidential elections through fraud, and therefore, the results were canceled to prevent "bloodshed".

A couple of days ago, the military had reassured international donors they would "respect all commitments" at home and abroad and "phase in" transitional institutions.

On Saturday, Gabon's military leaders announced that the country's land, sea, and air borders will be reopened after they were closed since August 30 due to the recent coup that toppled Bongo, who has since been placed under house arrest, while his son has been detained.

Bongo was toppled moments after being declared winner in bitterly disputed weekend elections. The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), which includes the heads of all army corps, said he had been "placed in retirement."

The military coup series continues in #Africa as the Gabonese junta depose President Ali Bongo. pic.twitter.com/EIMIay4NAV

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 30, 2023

The coup announcement came just moments after the national election authority declared Bongo had won a third term in Saturday's election with 64.27% of the vote.

The poll, condemned as bogus by the opposition, was declared canceled by the new CTRI leaders.

The elections "did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon," they said in a statement.

"Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos."

The African Union's Peace and Security Council strongly condemned the coup and said it decided to "immediately suspend" Gabon until the restoration of constitutional order in the country.

Related News

Gabon junta chief wins presidency, provisional results show

Gabon's President Nguema in Congo to improve ties, ease isolation

Gabon's opposition Alternance 2023 alliance had remained silent since the coup, but on Thursday called on the military leaders to acknowledge its victory in the election.

The alliance "invited the defence and security forces to the discussion so as to work out... the best solution," following the vote.

Led by university professor Albert Ondo Ossa, Alternance had earlier accused Bongo of "fraud" and demanded he hand over power "without bloodshed".

Ondo Ossa on Thursday claimed the Bongo clan remained in control and there had not been a coup but a "palace revolution".

"Oligui Nguema is Ali Bongo's cousin," he told France's TV5 Monde.

"The Bongos found that Ali Bongo had to be put aside to be able to properly pursue the Bongo system."

"Oligui Nguema is an underling. Behind him, it's the Bongo clan keeping hold of power," he said, urging international help to "restore order".

Bongo was elected in 2009 following the death of his father, who reputedly amassed a fortune from Gabon's oil wealth.

In 2016, he was re-elected -- again in fiercely disputed conditions -- before suffering a stroke in 2018 that weakened his grip on power.

According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the vote was held without international observers, and foreign journalists had been restricted from covering the event.

It is noteworthy that five other countries in Africa -- Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Niger -- have undergone coups in the last three years.

Some former #French colonies in #Africa seem beset by coups, the latest of which is the military takeover in #Gabon. Could these events be attempts to break free from the French #ColonialPact? pic.twitter.com/180e0IBrdD

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 1, 2023

Read more: EU held crisis talks in Gabon, no evacuation plan: The Financial Times

  • Gabon coup
  • Brice Oligui Nguema
  • Ali Bongo
  • East Africa
  • Gabon

Most Read

Pro-Palestinian protesters march toward the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington (AP)

US House to vote on bill criminalizing boycott of 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 3 May 2025
Throughout Operation Prosperity Guardian, current and former US military and intelligence officials expressed disquiet at the enormous “cost offset” involved in battling Ansar Allah. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)

Ansar Allah triumphant: US facing Red Sea defeat again

  • Opinion
  • 3 May 2025
Pakistan downs an Indian jet and hits a military base in Kashmir escalation.

Pakistan downs 3 Indian jets, hits military base in Kashmir escalation

  • Politics
  • 7 May 2025
Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu, senior Israeli official says

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu: Israeli media

  • US & Canada
  • Today

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
UN experts warn: Stop the genocide or witness Gaza's end
Politics

Stop the genocide or witness end of life in Gaza: UN experts warn

Israeli police attack mourners as they carry the casket of killed Al Jazeera veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during her funeral in occupied al-Quds, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP)
Politics

Israeli sniper who killed journalist Shireen Abu Akleh identified

The Department of Defense logo is seen on the wall in the Press Briefing room at the Pentagon, Oct. 29, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
Politics

Pentagon’s unused properties drain billions in taxpayer funds

Haaretz
Palestine

Israeli military avoids calling up unwilling reservists: Haaretz

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS