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Tag: Gabon

  • Players’ union supports lifetime ban for Gabonese coach over sexual abuse scandal

    Players’ union supports lifetime ban for Gabonese coach over sexual abuse scandal

    FIFA’s lifetime ban on former Gabonese youth coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi for sexually abusing players is a “positive first step,” but many more perpetrators remain, according to an official from global players’ union FIFPRO.

    On Tuesday, FIFA ruled that Eyi, who led Gabon’s national youth teams for decades, had sexually abused multiple young boys throughout his career.

    He was named in a 2023 BBC Africa Eye investigation, which exposed widespread abuse in Gabonese football. In the report, a former Gabonese international described Eyi as holding the “position of a god,” given his influence in selecting players for the youth national teams.

    Despite his punishment, Eyi—widely known as Capello—is “just one man that has been sanctioned,” said FIFPRO legal counsel Loic Alves, adding that many more perpetrators remain within Gabonese football.

    “It is a positive first step, but it is just the first step,” Mr Alves said.

    Eyi had admitted charges of raping, grooming and exploiting young players after allegations were first reported by the UK’s Guardian newspaper in 2021.

    Fifa’s independent ethics committee launched its investigation into Eyi later that year.

    As well as being banned for life, Eyi has been fined one million Swiss francs (£880,000; $1.1m). He is currently being held in prison.

    “The investigation into Mr Eyi concerns complaints from at least four male football players who accused him of sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021. Most of these incidents occurred while the players were minors,” Fifa’s statement said.

    One of Eyi’s alleged victims, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC on Wednesday he was pleased about the ban.

    “But on the other hand, I’m not satisfied because I don’t want us to stop there. It’s a whole network, a system that needs to be dismantled, with many predators running free,” they said.

    In 2023, BBC Africa interviewed more than 30 witnesses who detailed a decades-long network of sexual abuse affecting all levels of Gabonese football.

    One victim recounted being abused as a teenager during an under-17 football camp, while another, who went on to represent Gabon’s national team for several years, revealed he had been assaulted from the age of 14.

    Beyond the perpetrators, governing bodies such as FIFA and Gabon’s football federation, FEGAFOOT, have been accused of failing to protect young victims. However, both organizations have denied any wrongdoing.

  • Ousted Gabon president quits politics, demands wife’s release

    Ousted Gabon president quits politics, demands wife’s release

    Ousted President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, has declared his intention to exit politics a year after being removed from power in a military coup.

    “I wish to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition,” Mr Bongo said in a letter addressed to the Gabonese people.

    In a recent statement, the ousted leader called for the release of his wife and son, who are currently detained on corruption charges.

    Questions remain about whether this appeal comes after negotiations with the military authorities or if he hopes that resigning from politics might facilitate his family’s release.

    Health concerns had been significant for Mr. Bongo, especially since he suffered a stroke in 2018, with many worried leading up to the 2023 presidential election.

    The military seized power in August, shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed election opposed by rival factions.

    Having ruled since 2009, he succeeded his father, who held power for more than 40 years. The Bongo family has long-standing connections to France, the former colonial power in Gabon.

    Celebrations erupted at home following the coup led by Gen Brice Oligui Ngeuma, although regional and continental organizations, along with France, condemned the action.

    One week after the military takeover, the ousted president was freed from house arrest, yet he has stayed in Libreville, the capital.

    Gen Nguema has adopted a conciliatory stance, stating that the deposed president is free to travel abroad.

    However, in his letter, Mr. Bongo noted that his movements are still restricted and monitored daily.

    “My visits depend on the authorisation of the military. Isolated from the outside world without communications, without news of my family,” he added.

    He urged for an end to the “violence and torture” inflicted on his French-born wife, Sylvia, and their son, Noureddin, insisting they should both be released.

    They are currently in pre-trial detention, facing allegations of embezzling public funds.

    Mrs. Bongo is charged with money laundering, forgery, and document falsification, though she has not publicly addressed these accusations.

    Her attorney, Francois Zimeray, criticized her detention last year, describing it as arbitrary and illegal.

    Mr. Bongo stated that both his wife and son are “helpless scapegoats,” reiterating that his decision to step away from active politics extends to them.

    The military authorities have not responded to Mr. Bongo’s remarks but have previously denied allegations of torturing his family members.

    Throughout their decades in power, Mr. Bongo and his family have faced accusations of personal enrichment at the nation’s expense, which they have denied.

    Despite Gabon’s oil wealth, one-third of its 2.4 million residents live below the poverty line, according to United Nations estimates.

    While acknowledging the shortcomings of his presidency, Mr Bongo hoped the junta would end what he termed “national suffering” and pleaded for national reconciliation.

    “I understand that despite the achievements made under my mandates, too many Gabonese people are still suffering and this remains my greatest regret.”

    Gen Nguema has promised that there will be free and fair elections leading to the establishment of a new civilian government.

    However, he has not publicly commented on whether or not he will run for the country’s top job in polls that are planned for next year.

    “I call on my country, its leaders and my fellow citizens to renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity,” Mr Bongo added, pledging never to pose any threat or trouble during the country’s transition.

  • Leader of Gabonese junta rejects presidential salary

    Leader of Gabonese junta rejects presidential salary

    Gabon’s military leader, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, has announced that he will no longer receive a salary as the president. Instead, he will only be paid for his role as the commander of the republican guard.

    He became the temporary president after President Ali Bongo was removed from power in August.

    On Wednesday night, the person speaking for the military government said that Gen Nguema made the decision because he knew that the people of Gabon needed help and had many things they hoped for.

    Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said that every day that goes by, the [junta] is becoming more and more aware of how the country is getting worse,especially when it comes to public finances.

    Former President Bongo, who ruled for 14years, was accused of stealing money and being involved in other illegal activities. The group in charge now says that the country’s finances have been greatly harmed by these criminal acts.

    Besides giving up his salary as president, Gen Nguema also chose to decrease the amount of money the government spends by reducing the payments given to lawmakers,getting rid of funds for political purposes, and cutting back-on the money given for meetings. The government said this would bring together all the money of the state.

    The recent action is seen as a way to make the people of Gabon trust their leaders again.

  • Former first lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo jailed

    Former first lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo jailed

    Franco-Gabonese wife of former president Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, has been arrested on Thursday October 12, according to her attorney.

    She had been under house arrest since a military coup at the end of August for allegedly embezzling state fund.

    Her French attorney, François Zimeray, responded when asked by AFP about his client’s detention late on Wednesday night, “I can confirm this.”

    He condemned a “arbitrary” and “illegal” process. The central prison in Libreville reportedly issued a committal order for Mrs. Bongo late on Wednesday night after a protracted re-hearing by an examining magistrate, according to Gabonese media reports.

    On September 28, Mrs. Bongo was officially charged with “money laundering and forgery” and placed under house arrest in Libreville, a situation that had persisted since the aftermath of the August 30 coup that ousted her husband.

    The military forces responsible for overthrowing her husband, citing allegations of election manipulation within his inner circle, publicly expressed suspicions regarding the former First Lady.

    They believed she had exercised significant influence over her husband, who had been dealing with the repercussions of a severe stroke in 2018.

    Furthermore, they accused her, along with their son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, of effectively leading the country since that time and engaging in extensive misappropriation of public funds.

    Noureddin Bongo had also been incarcerated since the inception of the coup, facing charges of “corruption” and “embezzlement of public funds.”

  • Interim president of Gabon announces the assembly’s appointments

    Gabon’s temporary leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has announced that he will soon choose people to be part of the temporary government. He wants to show that his government is dedicated to listening and talking with people.

    He shared this information on X, which used to be called Twitter, after meeting the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, during a formal trip to Bangui on Wednesday.

    We don’t know when the appointments will happen yet, but the announcement came while they are still figuring out who should be in the National Assembly and the Senate.

    In September, Gen Nguema chose the leaders of both the legislative bodies. However, he still has to pick the rest of the members of parliament in the future.

    The temporary leader of one country told the leader of another country about the progress made in their government transition since Ali Bongo was removed from power. They also talked about news from the continent and the region, improving their relationship, and the plan to soon open embassies in each other’s countries.

    He went to the CAR after meeting the presidents of Equatorial Guinea and Congo-Brazzaville. He wanted their help to lift the sanctions on Gabon after the coup.

  • First lady of Gabon accused of money laundering

    Sylvia Bongo, the wife of Gabon’s deposed president Ali Bongo, has been charged with money laundering, receiving stolen property, forgery and using forged documents.

    Prosecutor André Patrick Roponat announced on Friday that the case of Sylvia Bongo had been brought before the investigating judge the day before. He also said that his house arrest order was upheld.

    The accusations follow weeks of uncertainty over Bongo’s fate after she was placed under house arrest on August 30 when the military deposed her husband.

    The decision to charge the former first lady was made after her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin was also charged with corruption and embezzlement and detained before trial. However, deposed President Ali Bongo, whose tenure was rife with corruption allegations, was released by the military junta and allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment if he wished.

  • Gabonese junta eases curfew restrictions

    Gabon’s military leaders have eased the curfew that was imposed in the aftermath of President Ali Bongo’s overthrow.

    The newly announced curfew, declared by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on Wednesday, will now be in effect from midnight to 05:00.

    Previously, the curfew varied by location, starting between 18:00 and 22:00 and ending at 06:00.

    The junta has introduced this new curfew as part of their efforts to reinvigorate economic activities in the country. Unlike the previous modified curfew, which had exemptions for certain areas, this one will apply uniformly across the entire nation.

    Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, the junta’s spokesperson, explained that the purpose of the new curfew is to “support economic operators in all sectors.”

    Additionally, the transition committee has cited the start of the school year as a contributing factor to their decision.

  • Could the leader of the coup in Gabon run for office?

    Could the leader of the coup in Gabon run for office?

    Gabon’s transition agreement, as officially published in the gazette, lacks a clear prohibition against General Brice Oligui Nguema, the individual responsible for ousting President Ali Bongo, from running in elections following the transitional period.

    The document, reviewed by the BBC, delineates the roles of five key bodies responsible for overseeing the transition:

    President of the transition, National Council of the transition, Government of the transition, Parliament of the transition, Constitutional Court of the transition.

    Members of these bodies, including the prime minister and the vice-president, are forbidden from participating in the presidential elections that will mark the conclusion of the transition period. The only exception to this prohibition is the president.

    General Nguema has pledged to ensure free elections that will lead to a peaceful transfer of power but has not provided a specific timetable for these elections.

    Additionally, the agreement grants amnesty to all military personnel who participated in the removal of President Bongo. According to the charter, “Members of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) and all those who took part in the events between August 29, 2023, and the inauguration of the president of the transition, shall enjoy immunity.”

  • Gabon coup leaders: Former president Ali Bongo freed

    Gabon coup leaders: Former president Ali Bongo freed

    Gabon’s military leaders have said that they released President Ali Bongo from being confined at his home. He had been under house arrest since the military took control of the country last week.

    This means you can go to another country for medical check-ups.

    He had a serious health problem in 2018, and many people were worried about his health before the 2023 presidential election.

    The military took control just after he was announced as the winner of the election, which was argued by the opposition.

    The decision to release Mr Bongo comes after pressure from nearby countries and a regional group called Eccas.

    In a message on TV, a military representative named Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said that they released Mr Bongo because he was not in good health.

    “He can go to another country for medical check-ups if he wants,” he said.

    Mr Bongo took over as the leader of the oil-rich country in 2009 after his father had been ruling for 41 years.

    The takeover by force has been strongly criticized in Africa and the Western countries, including France, the previous ruling authority that had close connections with the Bongo family. Gabon cannot be a part of the African Union anymore.

    After the takeover, Mr Bongo quickly made a video asking his supporters from all over the world to “make noise”.

    General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, became the temporary president on Monday. He promised to let normal people govern the country again after fair elections, but he didn’t say when this would happen.

    Earlier this week, the military group freed more political prisoners. One of them is Jean Rémi Yama, who is a pro-democracy activist and the leader of a strong trade union organization.

  • President Bongo freed by Gabon junta on health grounds

    President Bongo freed by Gabon junta on health grounds

    Gabon’s military leadership has officially declared the cessation of the house arrest of ousted President Ali Bongo, asserting that he is now permitted to move freely.

    In a statement broadcast on state television on Wednesday evening, Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi, the military spokesperson, cited concerns for his health as the basis for the decision to release Mr. Bongo.

    “He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical check-ups,” he added.

    After the military orchestrated a coup on August 30th, they detained the former president in his residence and proclaimed their authority over the oil-rich nation.

    The choice to release him comes in response to mounting pressure from the Central African regional alliance, ECCAS, as well as neighboring countries of Gabon, urging the preservation of the ousted head of state’s physical well-being.

    In 2018, Mr. Bongo experienced a stroke, which raised significant apprehension among many in the lead-up to the presidential election of 2023 regarding his health.

  • Gabon junta leader engages President Ali Bongo’s competitor, Albert Ondo Ossa

    Gabon junta leader engages President Ali Bongo’s competitor, Albert Ondo Ossa

    Gabon’s military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has held discussions with opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa as part of consultations aimed at rebuilding the country.

    Mr. Ossa, who was the primary challenger to the deposed President Ali Bongo in the election that was nullified when the military seized power, seems to be courted by the military authorities in their efforts to seek support from the opposition for charting a new path for Gabon.

    Notably, Mr. Ossa chose to boycott the inauguration ceremony of General Nguema that took place on Monday, asserting that he had won the invalidated elections and should have been sworn in as president.

    The meeting between General Nguema and Mr. Ossa suggests that the opposition might play a role in the interim government, although specific details were not disclosed. Mr. Ossa emphasized that their discussions revolved around the transition process and the restoration of government institutions.

    The coup that occurred last Wednesday appears to have garnered some level of popular support, but there remains uncertainty about the country’s future. General Nguema has not specified when he plans to return the nation to civilian rule.

    In related developments, the junta has released several prisoners, including pro-democracy activist and leader of the most influential trade union confederation, Jean Rémi Yama.

  • Coup leader in Gabon encounters regional mediator

    Coup leader in Gabon encounters regional mediator

    The recently inaugurated military leader of Gabon, who assumed power through a coup last week, has engaged in talks with a mediator dispatched by central African countries.

    This development occurred a day after the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) suspended Gabon from its membership.

    State television did not disclose specific details about the meeting between General Brice Oligui Nguema and Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the president of the Central African Republic.

    During his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Gen Nguema pledged to conduct equitable elections and reinstate civilian governance, although he did not specify a timeline for these actions.

  • Junta leader from Gabon meets with the opposition

    Junta leader from Gabon meets with the opposition

    Gabon’s military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has engaged in discussions with the opposition candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa, as part of consultations aimed at rebuilding the nation.

    Mr. Ossa was the primary contender against the deposed President Ali Bongo in the election, which was invalidated following the military’s seizure of power last week.

    It appears that the military authorities are seeking to garner support from the opposition in order to chart a new course for Gabon.

    Mr. Ossa chose not to attend the inauguration ceremony of General Nguema that took place on Monday, asserting that he had emerged victorious in the annulled elections and should have been sworn in as president.

    The meeting between these two figures suggests that the opposition may play a role in the interim government. While Mr. Ossa did not provide specific details, he indicated that the discussions centered on the transition and the restoration of governmental institutions.

    The coup that occurred last Wednesday seems to have garnered some level of popular support, but there remains uncertainty about the nation’s future. General Nguema has not yet announced a timeline for the return to civilian rule.

    In the meantime, the junta has released several detainees, including Jean Rémi Yama, a pro-democracy activist and leader of the most influential trade union confederation.

  • Gabon swears in Gen. Brice Nguema as interim president

    Gabon swears in Gen. Brice Nguema as interim president

    In a televised ceremony on Monday, Gen. Brice Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s military junta, was officially sworn in as the interim president by the country’s constitutional court.

    Last week, General Nguema led a coup that resulted in the removal of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, marking the end of the Bongo family’s long-standing dominance in Gabonese politics. Ali Bongo had succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled the nation for over four decades with an iron grip until his passing in 2009.

    Prior to the coup, President Bongo, who had been in power for nearly 14 years, was declared the winner of a contested presidential election marred by voting delays, internet disruptions, and restrictions on foreign press coverage.

    In the wake of the coup, the ousted leader, Ali Bongo, was placed under house arrest by the junta, which also invalidated the election results and imposed border closures, drawing widespread global condemnation.

    The nation witnessed jubilant celebrations as thousands of supporters expressed solidarity with the military.

    General Nguema, a former bodyguard of Omar Bongo, swiftly assumed the role of a transitional leader. He was inaugurated as interim president during Monday’s ceremony, accompanied by a military parade and enthusiastic cheers from his civilian supporters.

    Before taking office, Nguema granted approval for the reopening of Gabon’s borders and engaged with political leaders to discuss reform and the potential transitional period, as reported by local media.

    The duration of General Nguema’s tenure remains uncertain. He has previously emphasized the country’s cautious approach to a new election, aiming to avoid a repetition of past mistakes.

    In response, a coalition of opposition parties in Gabon has called upon the junta to resume the electoral process and complete the vote count, potentially opening the path to victory for opposition leader Albert Ondo Ossa, the runner-up in the annulled election.

    It is worth noting that several former French colonies, including Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Tunisia, and now Gabon, have experienced nine coups in the past three years, undermining democratic progress in these nations. Many Gabonese citizens view Ali Bongo’s removal as a significant victory in the oil-rich but economically challenged state.

  • Leader of coup in Gabon promises free and fair elections, but no time frame

    Leader of coup in Gabon promises free and fair elections, but no time frame

    The leader of Gabon’s military junta has promised to give power back to regular people after “fair, clear” elections.

    However, when he gave a speech after becoming the temporary president, he didn’t say when military rule would stop.

    Gen Brice Nguema led a recent coup against Ali Bongo, removing him as president soon after he was declared the winner of a controversial election.

    Many people who were excited for change came to the inauguration and cheered. They were happy about the coup.

    But some people say that Gen Nguema’s rule will just be a continuation of the Bongo dynasty, which has been going on for 55 years.

    Ali Bongo’s dad, Omar, ruled for 41 years until he passed away in 2009. Afterwards, his son took over.

    The general worked closely with Ali Bongo for most of his career and it is believed that they are cousins.


    During the inauguration on Monday, Gen Nguema gave a strong speech, mentioning influential figures like South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, French statesman Charles de Gaulle, and former Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings.

    “The new president, wearing a special red outfit, said that this patriotic action will be a lesson that will be taught in our schools. ”

    He said that a new government will be created soon and suggested new laws for elections, a new set of rules for punishment, and a public vote on a new constitution.

    Gen Nguema also mentioned that he told the new government to quickly consider releasing all political prisoners.

    The event was shown live on TV in Gabon and on the internet.

    Ex-government ministers who used to work in the previous government came, but a group of people who support the current military rulers made loud disapproving sounds at them.

    General Nguema’s inauguration is the most recent in a line of military takeovers happening in West and Central Africa.

    Gabon is now being ruled by the military, making it the sixth French-speaking country to experience this in the past three years. This is happening because France, who used to control Gabon, is finding it difficult to keep its power and influence in Africa.

    The African Union has stopped Gabon’s membership because of the coup. The United Nations and France have criticized the coup.

  • Gabon Coup: Gen Brice Oligui Nguema to be sworn in as interim president

    Gabon Coup: Gen Brice Oligui Nguema to be sworn in as interim president

    The leader of the military junta in Gabon, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, is scheduled to take the oath of office as the interim president of the nation.

    The army ousted President Ali Bongo on Wednesday shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed election.

    Supporters of the military regime in Gabon are expected to attend Gen Nguema’s inauguration.

    While the atmosphere in the country remains calm, security measures have been heightened.

    Interestingly, Gen Nguema is reported to be the cousin of the deposed President Ali Bongo, raising questions about whether this signifies a true end to the 55-year-long Bongo era.

    Gen Nguema has emphasized that he will not hastily transition the country back to civilian rule, aiming to avoid repeating past errors.

    However, the opposition has voiced concerns that the military is displaying no intention of relinquishing power.

    Gabon becomes the sixth Francophone country in the last three years to come under military rule, highlighting challenges for former colonial power France in maintaining its influence on the continent.

  • Threats regarding corruption made by Gabon’s new strongman

    Threats regarding corruption made by Gabon’s new strongman

    General Brice Oligui Nguema, who assumed power following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo Ondimba in Gabon, has issued stern warnings to contractors involved in corruption, a deeply rooted issue in the country.

    He urged them to demonstrate “patriotism” and “commitment” to the country’s development.

    Recent audits have revealed instances of overcharging by companies, and General Oligui Nguema declared that these investigations would be revisited to ensure the overcharged amounts are returned to the state. He delivered this message before more than 200 Gabonese business leaders who were summoned to the Presidential Palace.

    At the same time, state television channels displayed images of Noureddin Bongo Valentin, one of the deposed president’s sons, and other former high-ranking members of the presidential cabinet, who were arrested on charges of “massive misappropriation of public funds,” “falsification of the President’s signature,” and “high treason.”

    These individuals were shown alongside trunks, suitcases, and bags allegedly filled with large sums of money confiscated from their residences.

    General Oligui, who leads the presidential guard and is set to be sworn in as the “president of the transition,” emphasized the need for contractors to demonstrate commitment and patriotism towards the country’s development. He criticized the prevailing situation, suggesting that it could not continue and that he would not tolerate it.

    He encouraged contractors to change their approach, stressing the importance of responsible companies over those formed solely for immediate interests and overcharging schemes that have been widely recognized.

  • Gabon suspended by AU after ousting of Ali Bongo

    Gabon suspended by AU after ousting of Ali Bongo

    The African Union’s Peace and Security Council has taken swift action in response to the recent military coup in Gabon.

    In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the council expressed its strong condemnation of the coup and announced the immediate suspension of Gabon’s participation in all activities of the AU, as well as its organs and institutions.

    This decision was made during a council meeting convened to address the situation in Gabon, which unfolded following disputed elections that resulted in President Ali Bongo Ondimba being declared the winner.

    The meeting was chaired by Bankole Adeoye of Nigeria, the African Union commissioner for political affairs, and the current chair of the council, Willy Nyamitwe of Burundi.

    The military coup in Gabon marked the conclusion of the Bongo family’s nearly six-decade-long rule and posed a fresh challenge for a region that has grappled with a total of eight coups since 2020.

    Nigeria’s recently elected president Bola Tinubu called it a “contagion of autocracy”.

    “My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copy cats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped,” Tinubu, who chairs West Africa’s main regional body ECOWAS, said on Thursday.

    The military general who led the overthrow of Gabon’s Bongo dynasty is set to be inaugurated as the transitional president on Monday, according to an announcement by the army. Meanwhile, the opposition is demanding that their candidate be officially recognized as the victor of the recent weekend elections.

    The military sought to reassure donors they would “respect all commitments” at home and abroad and “phase in” transitional institutions, Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, spokesman for the new regime, said on state television.

    The swearing-in ceremony for the new leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, is scheduled to take place at the constitutional court, as disclosed by a spokesman. This marks the initial indication of how the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) intends to operate following the coup that occurred on Wednesday.

    The ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) has strongly condemned the coup and expressed its intention to convene a meeting of heads of state in the near future to determine the appropriate response. However, the statement did not specify a date for this meeting.

    The coup was initiated by senior officers in Gabon shortly after the election body declared that President Bongo had secured a third term following Saturday’s vote.

    Subsequently, a video surfaced of President Bongo detained in his residence, appealing to international allies for assistance while seemingly unaware of the unfolding events. The officers also announced General Nguema, the former head of the presidential guard, as the new head of state.

    On Wednesday, Tinubu announced that he was collaborating closely with other African leaders to address what he referred to as the “spread of autocracy” across Africa.

    In response to the coup in Niger on July 26, ECOWAS had threatened military intervention and imposed sanctions. However, the military government has not yielded to these measures. Similarly, military leaders in other African nations, such as Mali, have resisted international pressure, managing to maintain their grip on power and, in some cases, even garnering popular support.

    The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), representing Central Africa’s political bloc, issued a statement condemning the coup. ECCAS announced plans for an “imminent” meeting of heads of state to determine an appropriate response, although no specific date was provided.

    According to Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar, Senegal, the response from the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) has been relatively subdued. This may be attributed in part to concerns in the region about the potential for a “contagion of coups” among countries with political systems similar to the Bongo dynasty.

  • Support for coup in Gabon increasing globally

    Support for coup in Gabon increasing globally

    The top trend on Twitter also known as X was Gabon, and it received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

    This is in contrast to other recent coups in Africa, which have received far more conflicted or unfavorable reactions.

    TikTok has also seen people expressing their hope that the coup will “save” the oil-rich nation from the nearly six decades of the Bongo family in power.

    TikTok has also seen people expressing their hope that the coup will “save” the oil-rich nation from the nearly six decades of the Bongo family in power.

    “It’s senseless to say one family ruled a particular country for 54 years, and still call it ‘a democracy’,” one tweet said.

    Despite widespread support for the coup, several social media users caution that Gabon’s true test has only just begun and that genuine change will only occur if the military cedes control through new democratic elections.

  • Gabon suspended over coup by AU

    Gabon suspended over coup by AU

    The African Union has decided to suspend Gabon’s membership due to the recent military junta in the Central African nation. This announcement was made by the AU’s Peace and Security Council on Thursday evening, as reported by NAN.

    It’s worth noting that the AU suspended suspended Niger Republic’s membership just a few weeks ago when a military takeover occurred at the end of July.

    In addition to Gabon, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan have also faced suspensions from international bodies due to recent coups in these countries.

    In Brussels, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell expressed the European Union’s strong stance against any unlawful seizure of power in Gabon. He emphasized the need for resolving the challenges facing Gabon through adherence to the principles of the rule of law, constitutional order, and democracy. Borrell stated that the country’s peace, prosperity, and regional stability depended on this approach.

    He called for an inclusive and meaningful dialogue as the means to uphold the rule of law, human rights, and the will of the Gabonese people, rather than resorting to the use of force.

    The military took control of Gabon on Wednesday, announcing the dissolution of state institutions on state television. They asserted that the recent election results were invalid due to fraud and closed the country’s borders. Shortly before these developments, electoral authorities had declared the incumbent president, who had been in office since 2009, as the winner of the August 26 election.

    On Wednesday evening, military leaders designated the head of the Presidential Guard, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, as the interim leader of the country.

  • General Oligui to take oath of office as “transitional president” in Gabon on Monday Sep. 4

    General Oligui to take oath of office as “transitional president” in Gabon on Monday Sep. 4

    Man who has successfully ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba in a recent coup, General Brice Oligui Nguema, will officially take on the role of “transitional president” in a swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place before the Constitutional Court on Monday, September 4. This announcement was made by the coup leaders on Thursday.

    In response to the recent political developments, General Oligui, the new leader of Gabon, unveiled plans for the “gradual establishment of transitional institutions” while vowing that the nation would uphold all of its “external and internal commitments.”

    Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, the spokesperson for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), a collective comprising key military commanders, communicated the upcoming events on state television. He shared that the inauguration of the Transitional President would occur at the Presidency of the Republic on September 4, 2023.

    Additionally, General Oligui has taken steps to initiate the phased creation of transitional institutions. However, the duration of this transitional period was not specified. The new leadership has also directed various government officials, including secretaries-general, ministerial cabinets, and directors-general, to ensure an immediate and effective resumption of work, facilitating the continuous operation of all public services.

    Colonel Manfoumbi Manfoumbi concluded by affirming that the President of the Transition is determined to reassure international donors, development partners, and the State’s creditors, pledging that comprehensive measures will be enacted to ensure the nation’s commitment to honoring both its domestic and international obligations.

  • Good governance is a major factor to preventing coups – Security Analyst

    Good governance is a major factor to preventing coups – Security Analyst

    A security analyst, Emmanuel Kotin, has emphasized that the most effective means of preventing military coups is through the establishment of good governance.

    Kotin’s remarks come in the wake of a recent coup in Gabon, during which military officers took control and invalidated the results of the recent presidential election, which had been won by President Ali Bongo.

    Kotin told Umaru Sanda Amadu in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra on Wednesday that “if you look at the history of Francophone countries, it has always been a system where a family will rule for a long period of time, following the tenets of their colonial masters. In Gabon, for example, one family has been able to rule the country for over 50 years. So Francophone countries have a peculiar problem. But there is also a mix of factors at play, due to globalization and the export of culture.”

    “People are increasingly becoming aware of their rights, and you see that we have older people who are ruling younger people… and not giving them the opportunity, and they don’t seem to get their way out, it goes through some form of triggers and when it explodes these are some of the things that happen. So it is a wake-up call that good governance, nothing but good governance is the panacea to stopping these military coups.”

    Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has released a video on social media, urging his international allies to raise their voices against the coup.

    In the video, President Bongo reassures the public that he and his family are safe. He expresses uncertainty about the situation unfolding in the country and calls on his friends worldwide to bring attention to the coup.

    “Nothing is happening. I don’t know what is going on.”

    He again urges his “friends” to speak up, before thanking them.

  • Gabon’s presidents since 1960

    Gabon’s presidents since 1960

    Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Gabon has seen three leaders at its helm.

    The first leader was Leon M’Ba, who assumed the presidency in 1961. M’Ba was known for his conservative stance and strong pro-France inclinations. During his time in office, he gradually adopted a more authoritarian approach to governance.

    Copyright: Getty Images Leon M’Ba held the presidency from 1961-67

    In 1964, a coup d’état temporarily ousted him from power, but a French intervention swiftly reinstated him as president. Unfortunately, Leon M’Ba’s presidency was short-lived, as he passed away three years later.

    Following his death, Omar Bongo assumed the presidency and ruled for an impressive period of over four decades until his passing in 2009.

    Omar Bongo is Gabon’s longest serving leader, Credit: Getty Images

    Throughout his tenure, Gabon maintained a remarkably close relationship with France, operating within a framework commonly referred to as “Francafrique.” This arrangement involved the Gabonese government receiving political and military backing in exchange for various business concessions and favors.

    Tensions emerged in the relationship between the two nations when Ali Bongo, Omar Bongo’s son, secured a contested victory in the 2009 election. This contentious outcome led to a protracted investigation into allegations of corruption related to the Bongo family’s assets.

    Ali Bongo is currently under house arrest after the country’s military launched a coup, Credit: Getty Images

    In 2018, Bongo experienced a stroke that incapacitated him for nearly a year, prompting calls for him to consider stepping aside from leadership.

    However, Bongo chose to disregard these calls and proceeded to run for re-election. Surprisingly, he secured re-election on a Saturday, but the army has since declared the results of this election null and void.

  • AU condemns Gabon coup

    AU condemns Gabon coup

    The seizure of power by the military in Gabon represents a clear breach of the African Union’s (AU) regulations, according to a prominent AU official.

    Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairman of the AU Commission, is closely monitoring the situation and has expressed significant concern, as stated in a released statement.

    He “strongly condemns the coup attempt in the country as a way of resolving its crisis current post-election”.

    The statement further emphasizes the necessity for the military and security forces to ensure “the physical safety of the president of the republic,” as well as his family members and other government officials.

    The commissioner refrains from explicitly advocating for President Bongo’s reinstatement, opting instead to urge “all political, civilian, and military stakeholders in Gabon to support peaceful political avenues that facilitate the swift restoration of democratic constitutional governance.”

    Gabon has held membership in the AU, a coalition of 55 African nations, since 1963.

  • Gabon: Here is why the military felt authorized to oust Bongo

    Gabon: Here is why the military felt authorized to oust Bongo

    The military assumed control in Gabon shortly after election results were declared, asserting that President Ali Bongo’s re-election occurred despite allegations of fraud from the opposition.

    The coup’s aftermath reflects a widespread discontentment with the enduring rule of the Bongo family.

    The military’s decision might also be influenced by France’s perceived vulnerability in the region, judging that the former colonial power would likely not intervene to support their long-standing ally, Bongo.

    Domestic divisions further bolstered the military’s position, with even the Bongo family divided, as one of the president’s uncles was vying for office in the recently held election.

    Similar to other places, concerns about the rising cost of living have arisen, although Gabon has benefited from climate change initiatives tied to its rainforests.

    However, as the Bongo clan maintains a stronghold across various spheres, discontent has grown due to limited opportunities for an independent private sector to thrive.

  • ‘Bongo is retired, a normal Gabonese like everyone else’ – Senior army general

    ‘Bongo is retired, a normal Gabonese like everyone else’ – Senior army general

    The head of Gabon’s presidential guard, says President Ali Bongo has been officially retired, as reported by the French newspaper Le Monde.

    Brice Oligui Nguema made the statement during an interview, according to the BBC.

    “He is a Gabonese head of state. He is retired and enjoys all his rights. He is a normal Gabonese, like everyone else,” Gen Brice Oligui Nguema is quoted to have said.

    Currently, President Ali Bongo is under house arrest. A video of him has gone viral on social media, where he confirms his confinement at the presidential residence.

    He also reveals that his son has been detained, and his wife is being held at a different location.

    Currently, it appears a leader has not been selected by the army junta.

    Earlier, it was reported that Brice Oligui Nguema has been appointed transitional leader, but he has refuted such claims.

    “I am not declaring myself yet, I am not considering anything at the moment,” he told the French newspaper.

    “It is a debate we will have with all the generals.”

  • ‘I am not declaring myself yet’ – Nguema after Gabon coup

    ‘I am not declaring myself yet’ – Nguema after Gabon coup

    There was an impression that Nguema had been proposed by the leaders of the coup to assume the role of President, succeeding Ali Bongo, the ousted leader.

    Video footage aired earlier on state TV depicted him being hoisted by troops while they chanted his name.

    However, he has refuted any assertions that such an appointment has been confirmed or made.

    “I am not declaring myself yet, I am not considering anything at the moment,” he told the French newspaper.

    “It is a debate we will have with all the generals.”

    Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo Ondimba has been ousted by Army officers.

    President Ali Bongo was recently declared winner after Saturday’s election by the Electoral Commission, garnering 64.27% of the vote with his main challenger Albert Ondo Ossa taking 30.77%.

    On Wednesday morning, August 30, twelve soldiers appeared on television , announcing that they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.

    They noted that there has irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos.

    The soldiers said they were from the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions and represent security and defence forces in the country.

    Sounds of loud gunfire could be heard in the country’s capital, Libreville, following the broadcast.

  • Anti-French riots erupted prior to Macron’s most recent visit

    Anti-French riots erupted prior to Macron’s most recent visit

    In March, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, went to visit Gabon. While he was there, people in the second largest city of Gabon, Port-Gentil, protested and asked for the French soldiers to leave their country.

    France has about 400 soldiers living in the capital city, Libreville, to train the military there. France also has important financial interests in its former colony, like mining and oil.

    The Port-Gentil protests happened because the Gabonese Patriotic Front, a group that opposes the government, believed that the agreements between two countries regarding defense no longer helped Gabon grow because Gabon was not currently involved in any war.

    “We strongly condemn the alliance between France and the unjust government of Ali Bongo, whose family has been in control of Gabon since 1967,” stated David Pandjo Ngoma, one of the leaders of the protest.

  • Oldest son of President Ali Bongo detained

    Oldest son of President Ali Bongo detained

    Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the eldest son of Gabon president, is reportedly in custody and is believed to be 31 years old, according to the French news agency AFP.

    Valentin was appointed “co-ordinator of presidential affairs” in 2019 and held the position for 21 months, according to Radio France Internationale.

    The chief of staff for the president, Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, as well as two other presidential aides and the two most senior members of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) are also rumoured to have been detained.

    The military claimed that the six face charges including treason, theft, corruption, and forging the president’s signature.

  • Gabon military officers celebrate successful overthrow of President Ali Bongo

    Gabon military officers celebrate successful overthrow of President Ali Bongo

    A viral video on social media has shown a frantic celebration by the military officers in Gabon following their successive ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

    On Wednesday morning, August 30, twelve soldiers appeared on television, announcing that they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.

    Not long after, it was reported that President Ali Bongo Ondimba was under house arrest.

    This confirmed reports that a coup had taken place in Gabon. Shortly after, a video emerged on social media showing the head of the presidential guard, Brice Oligui Nguema, being tossed by military officers.

    They then chanted loudly, ‘Presido’ signifying his leadership.

    Brice Oligui Nguema has been nominated as the transitional leader for Gabon.

  • Russia, China and France express concern about the coup in Gabon

    Russia, China and France express concern about the coup in Gabon

    Russia has expressed deep worry about the reported coup unfolding in Gabon.

    France is also worried about what is happening in Gabon. The French Foreign Minister, Olivier Véran, has said that Paris wants the outcome of Gabon’s recent election to be respected.

    Ali Bongo, who is 64 years old, won another term as President in the elections that took place on Saturday. The military currently states that he is confined to his home and not allowed to leave.

  • Video: I beg you, make noise – Gabon’s ousted president pleads with friends

    Video: I beg you, make noise – Gabon’s ousted president pleads with friends

    Former president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, has officially acknowledged the occurrence of a coup within the nation in an informal communication directed at his global allies.

    Through a 51-second video disseminated on social media platforms, Bongo can be observed within a room at the presidential palace, urging his international friends to vociferously protest his apprehension. This development followed the military’s announcement of his removal in the early hours of Wednesday, August 30.

    Furthermore, he verified that he is currently sequestered at the presidential residence, noting that his son had been taken into custody and his wife was being held at a different location.

    “My name is Ali Bongo Ondimba, president of Gabon. I am sending a message to all the friends of all the friends that we have all over the world, to tell them to make noise, to make noise.

    “The people here have arrested me and my family, my son is somewhere, my wife is in another place and I am at the residence. Nothing is happening. I don’t know what is going on.

    “So I am telling you to make noise, to make noise, to make noise really. Thank you,” his address read.

    Reports indicate that his well-known son, Valentin Bongo Ondimba, has been apprehended by the junta on allegations of embezzlement. Other sources suggest that he is also facing charges of treason.

    Following the junta’s declaration of Bongo’s removal from his 14-year tenure, hundreds of people crowded the streets of the capital city, Libreville, to join in the celebrations.

  • Gabon president Ali Bongo ousted by Military

    Gabon president Ali Bongo ousted by Military

    In Gabon, military officers have made an appearance on national television to announce their assumption of control.

    They declared the nullification of the outcomes from Saturday’s election, wherein President Ali Bongo had been announced as the victor.

    The electoral commission reported that Mr. Bongo had secured just shy of two-thirds of the votes in a contest that the opposition claimed had been marked by deception.

    If successful, this move would put an end to the 53-year dominance of power by the Bongo family in Gabon.

    Gabon, a significant oil producer in Africa, boasts expansive forest coverage spanning almost 90% of its territory.

    In June 2022, the nation joined the Commonwealth, distinguishing itself as one of the few members without a history of British colonial rule.

    At the dawn of Wednesday morning, a dozen soldiers took to television to declare the invalidation of the election results and the dissolution of “all republican institutions.”

    They further conveyed the closure of the nation’s borders “until further notice.”

    If verified, this occurrence would mark the eighth coup within the former French colonies of Africa within the last three years.

    A map of Gabon

    However, the majority of the other instances have occurred farther north in the Sahel region, where an Islamist insurgency has given rise to growing grievances about the failure of democratically elected governments to safeguard civilian populations.

    Elisabeth Borne, the Prime Minister of France, remarked that her nation was closely monitoring the situation, while the European Union’s chief of foreign policy expressed concerns that a military seizure of power would exacerbate instability in Africa.

    Josep Borrell stated, “This poses a significant challenge for Europe.”

    Meanwhile, Eramet, a French mining conglomerate employing numerous individuals in Gabon, revealed it had halted all operations in the country due to security considerations.

    The soldiers who proclaimed this apparent coup identified themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions, representing the nation’s security and defense forces.

    One of the soldiers conveyed on Gabon 24 TV channel, “We have chosen to protect peace by terminating the current regime.”

    He attributed this decision to “reckless and unpredictable governance, which has led to an ongoing erosion of social cohesion that jeopardizes pushing the country into turmoil.”

    Gunfire resounded loudly in the capital city, Libreville, following the broadcast.

    A resident in the western city of Port Gentil shared with BBC World Service’s Newsday program that a friend had awakened them to the soldiers’ announcement.

    “They kept replaying a communique on both national TV channels,” they recounted, noting that it appeared that all branches of Gabon’s defense and security forces were involved.

    BBC World Service Africa editor Will Ross suggested that this indicates the coup might not be entirely resolved, and there could be some resistance ahead.

    As of now, there has been no immediate response from the government to the soldiers’ declaration, and the whereabouts of Mr. Bongo remain unknown.

    Internet access, suspended since Saturday’s election due to security reasons, was reinstated shortly after the apparent takeover. Additionally, a curfew has been put in place.

    Ali Bongo speaks at a recent campaign rally
    Image caption,Ali Bongo was declared the winner of Saturday’s election, which the opposition argued was fraudulent

    As in previous general elections in Gabon, there were serious concerns about the process in Saturday’s vote.

    Main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa complained that many polling stations lacked ballot papers bearing his name, while the coalition he represents said the names of some of those who had withdrawn from the presidential race had still been on the ballot sheet.

    Campaign group Reporters Without Borders said foreign media had been banned from setting foot in the country to cover the vote.

    Both of Mr Bongo’s previous wins were disputed as fraudulent by opponents. This time, controversial changes were made to voting papers just weeks before election day.

    Mr Bongo came to power when his father Omar died in 2009.

    In 2018, he suffered a stroke which sidelined him for almost a year and led to calls for him to step aside.

    The following year, a failed coup attempt saw mutinying soldiers sent to prison.

  • Gabon coup: President Bongo under house arrest – report

    Gabon coup: President Bongo under house arrest – report

    Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed on house arrest, according to military officers reported by the AFP news agency.

    President Ali Bongo is being kept at home, with his family and doctors around him, according to a statement read on state television.

    One of the president’s sons was arrested for “treason”, the statement reportedly added.

    Twelve soldiers appeared on television early on Wednesday morning, announcing they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.

    They added that the country’s borders had been closed “until further notice”.

    The soldiers said they were from the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions and represent security and defence forces in the country.

    One of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.”

    This, he added, was down to “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.

    The sounds of loud gunfire could be heard in the country’s capital, Libreville, following the broadcast.

    The electoral commission said Mr Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.

  • The Bongo Dynasty: 56 years of rule in Gabon

    The Bongo Dynasty: 56 years of rule in Gabon

    In the midst of the military takeover in Gabon, it is crucial to examine the sequence of governments that have governed the nation.

    The recently ousted leader is Ali Bongo, who had been declared the winner in Saturday’s election and had been in power for 14 years. He succeeded his father, former President Omar Bongo, in office.

    Ali Bongo

    Omar Bongo assumed the presidency in 1967 following the death of his predecessor, M’ba. He led the single-party regime of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) until 1990, when public pressure compelled him to introduce multi-party politics in Gabon.

    In 2009, after 42 years in power, Omar Bongo left office, and Ali Bongo succeeded him.

    An interesting fact, as reported by Africa Fact Zone on Twitter, is that former President Omar Bongo accumulated significant wealth during his tenure.

    Omar Bongo

    According to the tweet, he possessed 70 bank accounts, 39 apartments, 2 Ferraris, 6 Mercedes-Benz cars, 3 Porsches, and a Bugatti in France.

    At present, Gabon is under military control, with the military rejecting the results of the recent election.

    In a televised address early on Wednesday, twelve soldiers announced the cancellation of the election results and the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic.”

  • Military officials in Gabon claim to have seized power following the election

    Military officials in Gabon claim to have seized power following the election

    A group of military officers who call themselves “defense and security forces” in Gabon said on Wednesday that they have taken control of the African country. This announcement was made in a speech that was being shared on social media.

    The announcement was made a few minutes after Gabon’s election authority declared that the current President Ali Bongo had won the election for the third time. This means that his family, who has been ruling the oil-rich Central African country with a population of 2. 3 million for the past 50 years, will continue in power.

    A military officer said on Gabon24, which is now called X, that they are defending peace by ending the current regime to protect the institutions and the people of Gabon. CNN saw this broadcast on Twitter.

    During the broadcast, the army officer said that the election results would be cancelled and the country’s borders would be shut until they give a new update.

    “The officer said that all the institutions of the republic, including the government, Senate, National Assembly, Constitutional Court, Economic and Social and Environmental Council, and Elections Council of Gabon, have been dissolved. ”

    We are asking the people of Gabon, the communities of nearby countries living in Gabon, and Gabonese people living abroad to stay calm.

    Gunshots were heard loudly in the capital city of Libreville, as reported by a Reuters journalist, soon after the person appeared on television.

    According to Reuters, if it succeeds, the coup will be the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020. The overthrow of governments in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger has damaged the progress towards democracy in these countries.

    Recently, a group of military leaders took control of Niger, a country in West Africa. This made the African Union suspend Niger’s membership in their organization, which consists of 55 countries. This month, the leader of Niger’s military suggested that they should go back to having a democratic government in three years. They will figure out the details of how this transition will happen within the next 30 days.

    On Wednesday, the election officials in Gabon announced that Bongo had won the presidential election with 64. 27% of the votes. However, the opposition criticized the election, claiming it was fraudulent and faced many delays.

    Bongo’s biggest competitor, Albert Ondo Ossa, came in second place with 30. 77%, according to the election authorities. Bongo’s group said that Ondo Ossa’s claims of unfairness in the election were not true.

    Ali Bongo, who is 64 years old, became the leader after his father, Omar Bongo, passed away in 2009. Omar Bongo had been in power for 42 years but unfortunately died from a heart problem while being treated for intestinal cancer in a Spanish clinic.

    The older Bongo became the leader in 1967, seven years after the country became independent from France.

    He was in charge of a small country and had complete control. He made it so only one political party was allowed to rule for a long time. It was only in 1991 that he allowed more than one party to rule, but his party still had power over the government.

    In this week’s election, Ali Bongo competed against 18 other challengers. Six of these challengers supported Ondo Ossa, who used to be a minister and a professor at a university, in order to make the race more competitive. Many people who were against the government wanted to make changes in the country that was affected by poverty.

    People are worried that there might be trouble after the election on Saturday for the president, parliament, and other government positions. There are worries about whether the election process was fair because there weren’t enough international observers, some foreign broadcasts were stopped, the government cut off the internet, and a nighttime curfew was imposed everywhere after the vote.

    Before the election, the organization called Reporters Without Borders criticized the government of Gabon for stopping foreign journalists from reporting on the event.

    The organization said that many reporters from foreign media who wanted to go to Gabon to report on the election were not allowed to go. They mentioned some journalists and news organizations who were affected.

    “It is old fashioned and out of touch to not allow foreign media to report on such an important moment in a country’s democracy. The population needs diverse reporting at this time. ”

    And on Friday, the day before the vote, the United Nations said in a statement that it wants the voting process to be peaceful and fair. They are asking everyone involved, like the candidates and their supporters, to prioritize the country’s wellbeing over anything else.

    Gabon has seen many conflicts and unease in the past regarding Bongo’s leadership, which has often been questioned by critics.

    In 2016, the parliament building was set on fire during angry street protests against Bongo’s disputed re-election for his second term. The government stopped people from using the internet for a few days.

    In 2019, some soldiers and military officers tried to takeover the country by forcefully entering the state radio and television building. They held the staff inside as hostages and proclaimed that they were now in charge of the whole nation.

    They expressed their unhappiness with Bongo as president and promised to bring back democracy in the country. Then, the defense and security forces of Gabon took action to stop the takeover and free the hostages. Two soldiers died and eight military officers were taken into custody.

  • BREAKING: Coup in Gabon: Military officers claim to overthrow Bongo

    BREAKING: Coup in Gabon: Military officers claim to overthrow Bongo

    A group of senior military officers in Gabon have announced on national television that they have seized power from President Ali Bongo, who won a disputed third term in the recent general election.

    They said they represent all the security and defence forces of Gabon and that they have cancelled the election results, dissolved the state institutions, and closed all the borders until further notice.


    The officers, who called themselves the Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon, said they acted to defend the peace and restore democracy in the oil-rich but impoverished nation. They accused Bongo of being unfit to rule and of rigging the election, which was marred by delays, irregularities, and a lack of international observers .


    Gunshots were heard in the capital, Libreville, shortly after the televised coup announcement, according to a Reuters reporter. The government has not yet commented on the situation, and it is unclear how much support the coup plotters have among the military and the population.


    Bongo, who has been in power since 2009, succeeded his father Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 42 years. He won the presidential election on Saturday with 64.27% of the vote, according to the official results announced on Wednesday by the Gabonese election centre. His main challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa, came second with 30.77% and denounced the vote as fraudulent .


    The election was held amid high tensions and fears of violence, as Bongo sought to extend his family’s 56-year grip on power while the opposition demanded change. The authorities had suspended some foreign broadcasts, cut internet service, and imposed a night-time curfew nationwide after the poll, raising concerns about the transparency of the electoral process .

  • Opposition in Gabon declares victory in presidential election

    Opposition in Gabon declares victory in presidential election

    Despite claims from the opposition in Gabon about winning the presidential election on Saturday, the announcement of official results is still pending.

    President Ali Bongo wanted to be President for a third time. This would mean that his family, the Bongo dynasty, would continue to be in power for over 50 years.

    On Monday, the campaign manager for the main opposition candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa, said at a press conference that they were winning in the partial vote count and had a strong advantage. However, they did not provide evidence to support their claim.

    In Gabon, only the Gabonese Election Centre has the legal permission to release the results.

    “President Bongo needs to respect and accept the decision made by the people of Gabon. He should peacefully transfer power to Mr. Ossa,” said Mike Jocktane, who manages Mr.

    Even though the opposition has said something against it, the group in charge of counting votes has not provided any updates on how it is going or when they will finish.

    The opposition has criticized and accused the elections of being unfair and dishonest.

    Right now, the internet is still not working and the government has put a curfew in effect.

    On Monday evening, people in the capital city Libreville hurried to obey the curfew rules. Some people who couldn’t arrive on time were stuck in distant places.

    State media said on Monday that a group of criminals has been arrested. Their goal is to create disorder once the results are revealed.

  • President of Gabon intends to run for the third term

    President of Gabon intends to run for the third term

    Elections have started in Gabon, a country in Central Africa known for its oil reserves. The current President, Ali Bongo, is seeking re-election for a third term after taking over from his late father in 2009.

    He has to compete against 13 other people.

    Albert Ondo Ossa, a candidate running against the Bongos in Gabon, believes that Gabon does not belong solely to the Bongos. He hopes to win the election with the help of the Alternance 2023 coalition, even though he was only chosen as their leader last week.

    As in previous elections, individuals express concerns about the methods employed.
    Mr Bongo’s previous wins were challenged by his opponents who claimed they were fraudulent. In addition, there have been controversial alterations to the ballot papers just a few weeks before the election day.

    This is the first time that voters are being asked to choose both a president and a member of parliament who belong to the same party, and they just need to mark their choice on one ballot.

    Experts say that independent candidates,especially Mr Ondo Ossa from the opposition Alternance 2023 alliance, are at a disadvantage because they don’t have their own political party.

    Albert Ondo Ossa, who is 69yearsold, is a highly regarded person who used to work as a government official in charge of education.

    Reporters Without Borders, a campaign group, says that foreign media are not allowed to enter the country and report on the vote happening on Saturday.

    There won’t be any election monitors from the EU or UN.

    The local civil society group, Tournons La Page,plans to observe and monitor despite not having official approval.

    Before the vote on Saturday, there was a big argument. President Bongo accused Mr. Ondo Ossa and another opposition leader of committing treason.

    The two people say that the accusations of them planning to create a fight for power in Gabon and getting help from other countries are not true. They also said that the government is tricking people and behaving in a bad way. They made this statement through Alternance 2023.

    In addition to voting for the president and MPs, the people in Gabon are also voting for mayors and local councillors.

    Gabon has about 2. 3 million people who live there. It has lots of oil and big areas of rain forest.

    However, the worldwide economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have caused a decrease in the shipment of natural resources.

  • President of Gabon announces third-term bid

    President of Gabon announces third-term bid

    Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has made an announcement stating his intention to run for a third term in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for August.

    The Bongo family has already held power in Gabon for a remarkable span of 55 years. Ali Bongo assumed office in 2009 following the presidency of his father, Omar Bongo, who had himself governed the country for over four decades.

    The previous elections, held in 2016, were overshadowed by allegations of electoral fraud. Despite winning by a margin of less than 6,000 votes, Mr. Bongo faced opposition from candidate Jean Ping, who declared himself the rightful winner and contested the election results.

    Mr. Ping encountered various challenges in the aftermath of the election. His passport was confiscated, and he faced a five-year travel ban, only being permitted to leave the country earlier this year.

    As President Ali Bongo Ondimba seeks a third term, the upcoming elections in Gabon hold significant importance for the country’s political landscape. The aftermath of the previous elections and the involvement of opposition candidates continue to shape the discourse around the electoral process in Gabon.

  • Togo president’s half-brother flees to Gabon after 14 years in prison

    Togo president’s half-brother flees to Gabon after 14 years in prison

    A half-brother of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé who has been in detention since 2009 on suspicion of conspiring to overthrow the government has been evacuated to Gabon, according to one of his advisers, for “sanitary reasons.”

    Kpatcha Gnassingbé, 52, a former minister of defense from 2005 to 2007, was deemed the brains behind a botched putsch and was condemned in September 2011 to 20 years in prison for “conspiring against state security.” On April 15, 2009, he was detained in front of the American embassy where he was seeking safety.

    “I can confirm that Kpatcha Gnassingbé has been evacuated to Gabon for health reasons since March 23. I am in contact with his relatives. He is currently in a hospital where he is being treated,” said Me Zeus Ajavon .

    “We have asked for his evacuation several times, because of his state of health which has deteriorated. In any case, we appreciate this gesture, which can be a sign of relaxation within the Gnassingbé family”, he said . he adds.

    No official Togolese or Gabonese source has yet confirmed the information.

    Kpatcha Gnassingbé had been hospitalized in the military pavilion of the Sylvanus-Olympio University Hospital Center (CHU) in Lomé since June 17, 2021.

    According to Me Ajavon, his client, who suffers in particular from diabetes , “is still considered a prisoner, because he has not benefited from parole or a presidential pardon” .

    A total of 33 soldiers and civilians involved in this foiled putsch of 2009 were tried by the judicial chamber of the Supreme Court and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12 months to 20 years. All had pleaded their innocence.

    Kpatcha Gnassingbé and two officers are still being held in this case, the others having been released.

    “We would like the two officers who are still in detention in this case to also benefit from a medical evacuation, because they are also sick” , pleaded Me Ajavon.

    Togo has been ruled since 2005 by Faure Gnassingbé , who came to power after the death of his father, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma , who himself had ruled Togo for 38 years. He was re-elected in polls that were all contested by the opposition.

  • President Macron to visit Gabon, Angola, 2 others

    President Macron to visit Gabon, Angola, 2 others

    Before beginning his visit to four African nations on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron is anticipated to lay out a new Africa policy.

    He is anticipated to travel to Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon for an environmental meeting, and then Angola.

    It takes place as Paris tries to stave off the region’s growing influence from China and Russia.

    In several of its former colonies in the Sahel, there has been a strong anti-French attitude.

    Burkina Faso announced the official conclusion of the French military intervention in the country a week ago after giving France a month to withdraw its 400 special forces.

    In Mali, French troops withdrew from the country after the military government there started working with the Russian private military contractor Wagner.

    The Russian group has also been operating in the Central African Republic.

  • 19 Sub-Saharan African countries in debt distress or high risk of distress – IMF

    Nineteen of the Sub-Saharan Africa region’s 35 low-income countries are in debt distress or at high risk of distress, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated in its October 2022 Regional Outlook Report.

    Out of the other 10 countries in the region, the Fund said three have faced spreads of more than 1,000 basis points at some point over the past six months. The three are Angola, Nigeria and Gabon.

    The Fund however did not mention the names of the 16 countries. But, those with a ratio of high debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are expected to be part of the countries that are in debt distress or at high risk of distress.

    On public debt, the Fund said the regional indebtedness is now approaching levels last seen in the early 2000s before the impact of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, though with a different composition.

    It further explained that the substitution of low-cost, long-term multilateral debt with higher-cost private funds has resulted in rising debt-service costs and higher rollover risks.

    “About half of the countries are expected to undertake some consolidation this year—regionwide deficits are projected to narrow by about ½ percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) after a larger consolidation of about 1¼ percent in 2021, bringing average debt at end-2022 down to around 55% of GDP. Approximately one-third of the region’s economies now have debt levels above 70% of GDP”.

    Global financial conditions becoming less forgiving

    The Fund also said the global financial conditions are set to become less forgiving, saying, much of the current debt has been contracted during a period of historically low-interest rates.

    “Looking ahead, as global policy rates normalize, financial conditions will continue to tighten, adding to external borrowing costs and weighing on sub-Sahara Africa’s debt dynamics. Over the next few years, already-high interest payments are projected to increase as a proportion of revenue, exceeding 50% in some cases and far surpassing the burdens seen in other regions”.

    Furthermore, the Fund said as global conditions tighten, borrowing costs may also become more volatile, explaining “as with other emerging markets, sub-Saharan African borrowers are subject to sudden changes in market sentiment, particularly those perceived at greater risk.

    During the most recent turmoil, for example, the Fund stressed that sovereign spreads fluctuated widely, disrupting the plans of some countries that had aimed to issue during the year.

    Source: MyJoyOnline

  • Magazine condemned for showing Gabon-born MP Danièle Obono as slave

    A French right-wing magazine has been criticised across the political spectrum in France for depicting Gabon-born socialist MP, Danièle Obono, as a slave.

    The article in Valeurs actuelles accused Africans of colluding in slavery, and had a sketch of Ms Obono with an iron collar around her neck.

    Prime Minister Jean Castex said it was a “revolting publication”.

    The magazine apologised to Ms Obono but denied the article was racist.

    Ms Obono is a deputy in the National Assembly for left-wing party France Unbowed, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. She represents a Paris constituency.

    She tweeted the image with the words “the far right – odious, stupid and cruel”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Gabon president appoints country’s first female PM

    Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has appointed Christiane Ossouka Raponda as prime minister, the first woman to become the head of government in the West African country.

    The 56-year-old replaces Julien Nkoghe Bekale, who held the post for 18 months.

    “The priority mission of the new prime minister will be, above all, the economic revival and the continuation of the social support of the Gabonese people in a world context marked by the consequences of the crisis linked to Covid-19,” La Libreville website said.

    Ms Raponda, who previously served as the mayor of the capital, Libreville, was appointed defence minister in February 2019 after a failed coup against President Bongo. He had been convalescing in Morocco at the time after suffering a stroke in Saudi Arabia in October 2018.

    Mr Bongo has not been seen in public for weeks. However, he is reportedly expected to travel abroad for a holiday amid rumours about his health.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ghana and Gabon confirm their first coronavirus cases

    Ghana has confirmed its first two confirmed cases of coronavirus as Gabon confirmed its first case.

    Ghana’s Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu said two people who’d arrived from Norway and Turkey tested positive for the virus.

    In Gabon, Government Spokesman Edgard Anicet Mboumbou Miyakou said the patient was a Gabonese man who’d arrived from France.

    Ghanaian authorities have said their two patients are being kept in isolation and are in a stable condition.

    They have also started the process of tracing everyone who was in contact with the two patients.

    Gabon’s spokesman said the patient who had tested positive was feeling better – having displayed symptoms of cough, sore throat and breathing problems earlier.

    He said the patient was in an isolation facility and the government was tracing those who had come into close contact with him.

    On Wednesday, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the release of $100m (£80m) to enhance coronavirus preparedness and response nationwide.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Gabon bans entry of passengers from China

    Gabon announced on Friday that it was suspending access to its territory for all passengers from China in an attempt to prevent any contamination by the coronavirus.

    “To date, no suspicious or reported cases have been recorded on the national territory,” the Gabonese government said in a statement. “However, in view of the spread of this epidemic beyond the epicentre, the government has decided to raise the level of surveillance and to suspend, until further notice, the access to the national territory of any passenger coming from China.

    Such a ban is likely to affect the Gabonese economy because thousands of Chinese work in this Central African country, particularly in oil, mineral and timber exploitation, on which its revenues depend heavily, as well as in construction and public works.

    To date, no suspicious or reported cases have been recorded on the national territory, the Gabonese government said in a statement. “However, in view of the spread of this epidemic beyond the epicentre, the government has decided to raise the level of surveillance and to suspend, until further notice, the access to the

    Libreville has identified 93 Gabonese living in Wuhan and its surroundings, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, but “to date, no case of contamination has been recorded among our compatriots living in China,” the government continues, saying it is preparing to “prepare for any eventuality, including the repatriation of Gabonese nationals, under the control of the WHO.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Gabon ‘suspends judge’ in President Bongos health case

    Gabon’s Ministry of Justice has suspended the judge who allowed opposition campaigners to demand the president has a medical check-up, according to the privately-owned Gabonese news website Gabonactu.

    On 12 August the president of Libreville Court of Appeal, Paulette Ayo Mba, declared admissible a complaint by the Call for Action movement that was asking for President Ali Bongo to have the check up to determine whether he is capable of performing his duties, Gabonactu reports.

    She scheduled the hearing for 26 August.

    There has been speculation for some time about the state of Mr Bongo’s health.

    He returned to Gabon at the end of March after five months of recovery abroad following after suffering a stroke in Saudi Arabia last October.

    On Friday a video of Mr Bongo looking frail was widely shared on social media:


    Source: bbc.com