Following the military takeover in Gabon and the appointment of General Brice Oligui Nguema as transition leader, the United Kingdom on Wednesday condemned an “unconstitutional” coup, while Washington urged the army to “preserve the civilian regime”. Monitor the situation hour by hour.
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Context
- A group of a dozen Gabonese soldiers and police announced, on Wednesday August 30, in a press release read on the Gabon 24 television channel housed within the presidency, the cancellation of the elections in Gabon, the dissolution of “all the institutions of the Republic” and the “end of the regime”.
- Among these soldiers were members of the Republican Guard (GR), the praetorian guard of the presidency recognizable by their green berets, as well as regular army soldiers and police officers. The intervention was then also broadcast on public television Gabon 1ère.
- This declaration took place just after the official announcement of Ali Bongo’s victory in the presidential election with 64.27% of the votes. In power for 14 years, the outgoing president was seeking a third term in the elections on Saturday, August 26, which brought together three ballots, presidential, legislative and municipal, all in a single round.
- In the evening, the putschist soldiers named General Brice Oligui Nguema, commander in chief of the Republican Guard, head of the transition, according to a press release read on Gabon 24 television. The soldiers also announced that the cover -fire would be maintained “until further notice” and the re-establishment of broadcasting by international French-speaking media which had been suspended on Saturday evening, the day of the presidential election.
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4:40 a.m.: Washington says it is very concerned, urges the army to “preserve civilian rule”
The United States on Wednesday urged the Gabonese army to preserve civilian rule while expressing concern after the ouster of outgoing President Ali Bongo Ondimba following a disputed vote.
“We urge officials to release government members and their families, ensure their safety, and preserve civilian rule,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
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2:06 a.m.: London condemns “unconstitutional” military coup in Gabon
The United Kingdom on Wednesday condemned the “unconstitutional” military coup in Gabon, while acknowledging concerns over recent elections. “The UK condemns the unconstitutional military takeover in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government. We recognize the concerns raised by the recent electoral process, including restrictions on media freedom,” the UK said. British Foreign Office in a statement.
With AFP and Reuters
Source: France 24
