Gabon Coup: Army Cancels Elections and Seizes Power

Gabon Coup: Army Cancels Elections and Seizes Power

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, a group of military officers in Gabon announced that they had seized power and annulled the results of the recent presidential election. The coup came just hours after the election commission announced that President Ali Bongo Ondimba had been re-elected for a third term.

The coup leaders, who called themselves the "Committee for the Restoration of the State," said that they had taken action because the election had been "fraudulent" and that Bongo was not the legitimate president. They also said that they would be forming a new government and that they would hold new elections in the near future.

The coup has been met with mixed reactions in Gabon. Some people have welcomed the coup, saying that it was necessary to remove Bongo from power. Others have condemned the coup, saying that it is a violation of democracy.

The international community has also condemned the coup. The United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have all called for the restoration of constitutional order in Gabon.

The coup is the latest in a series of political crises in Gabon. In 2019, there was a failed coup attempt against Bongo. The coup leaders claimed that the election that year had also been fraudulent.

Bongo has been in power since 2009. He is the son of Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 42 years. The Bongo family has ruled Gabon for over 50 years.

The coup has plunged Gabon into political uncertainty. It is unclear what the long-term implications of the coup will be. However, it is clear that the coup has shaken the foundations of democracy in Gabon.

**Background**

Gabon is a small country in Central Africa. It is a former French colony and is one of the richest countries in Africa, due to its oil reserves.

Bongo's father, Omar Bongo, ruled Gabon for 42 years. He was a corrupt and authoritarian ruler. Bongo was accused of rigging elections and suppressing dissent.

Ali Bongo came to power in 2009, after his father's death. He has been accused of following in his father's footsteps. Bongo has been accused of corruption and of rigging elections.

**The Election**

The presidential election was held on August 26, 2023. Bongo was challenged by several candidates, including Jean Ping, a former foreign minister.

The election was marred by allegations of fraud. The opposition claimed that Bongo had won the election by rigging the vote.

The election commission announced on Wednesday that Bongo had won the election with 64.27% of the vote. Ping came in second with 30.77% of the vote.

**The Coup**

The coup leaders announced their takeover on Wednesday morning. They said that they had taken power because the election had been "fraudulent" and that Bongo was not the legitimate president.

The coup leaders said that they would be forming a new government and that they would hold new elections in the near future.

**Reactions**

The coup has been met with mixed reactions in Gabon. Some people have welcomed the coup, saying that it was necessary to remove Bongo from power. Others have condemned the coup, saying that it is a violation of democracy.

The international community has also condemned the coup. The United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have all called for the restoration of constitutional order in Gabon.

**Implications**

The coup has plunged Gabon into political uncertainty. It is unclear what the long-term implications of the coup will be. However, it is clear that the coup has shaken the foundations of democracy in Gabon.

The coup could lead to instability and violence in Gabon. It could also damage the country's economy. The coup could also have a negative impact on the region, as it could embolden other coup leaders in Africa.

**The Future**

It is unclear what the future holds for Gabon. The coup leaders have said that they will hold new elections in the near future. However, it is unclear when these elections will be held and whether they will be free and fair.

The coup has also raised questions about the future of democracy in Gabon. The coup is a reminder that democracy is fragile and that it can be easily undermined. The future of democracy in Gabon will depend on the actions of the coup leaders and the international community.