A group composed of around a dozen Gabonese military and police personnel has made a major announcement. In a statement broadcast on Gabon 24 television, located within the presidential compound, they declared the cancellation of the recent elections. Furthermore, they announced the dissolution of “all institutions of the Republic” and proclaimed the “end of the current regime.”
Gabonese military personnel intervened on the state-owned television channel to announce the annulment of the elections and the dissolution of institutions, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP). According to their information, automatic gunfire was heard in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. The current whereabouts of the president are unknown. The authorities have not yet made an official statement.
The Gabonese military announced that they have taken control of the country, dissolved all state institutions, and established a Transitional and Restoration Committee for Institutions. “Today, we, the defense and security forces gathered within the Transitional and Restoration Committee for Institutions, have decided, on behalf of the Gabonese people, to defend peace by ending the current regime,” they stated.
“To this effect, the elections of August 26 and their preliminary results are annulled. The borders are closed until further notice, and all institutions of the country are dissolved.” The Gabon 24 television studio is located within the Gabonese presidential administration buildings.
The military’s declaration came hours after the electoral commission officially announced the victory of Ali Bongo Ondimba in the August 26 presidential election, with 64.27% of the votes. He was reelected for a third term. Ali Bongo defeated his main rival Albert Ondo Ossa, who only garnered 30.7% of the votes.
Fourteen candidates were competing in this presidential election, including Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in office for 14 years. After the voting day in Gabon during the presidential and legislative elections on Saturday, August 26, the Gabonese authorities decided to suspend the broadcasts of RFI and France 24, media outlets of the France Médias Monde group, RFI reported. The duration of the suspension has not been specified.
In a statement, the France Médias Monde group “regrets and is surprised by this temporary suspension, without foundation, which deprives Gabonese people of two of their main sources of reliable and independent information.”
The Gabonese government imposed a curfew and blocked the internet on August 26 after the polling stations closed.
