In a major development, another African nation reportedly slipped into the junta regime after Gabonese military officers announced on TV the cancellation of elections and dissolution of institutions, claiming they have taken power.
This came barely minutes after Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power for 14 years, was re-elected for a third term in Saturday’s election. The National Election Commission, on Wednesday, said the President got nearly 64.27 per cent of votes cast. The government had already put a clamp on the internet in the African nation on Monday amid concerns over delays in the release of the results of national elections held over the weekend.
Incumbent President Ali Bongo sought reelection for a third term against his main challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa.
Similar attempt happened in 2019
It is worth mentioning this is not the first time the country witnessed such a dramatic event. Earlier in January 9, 2019, soldiers in Gabon appeared on state television saying they launched a coup to “restore democracy” in the West African country.
At that time, Lieutenant Obiang Ondo Kelly, commander of the Republican Guard, read a statement saying the military had seized control of the government. He was flanked by two other soldiers holding weapons and all were dressed in camouflage uniforms and green berets.
Oil-rich Gabon has been ruled for more than half a century by Bongo and his father, Omar, who died in 2009. Critics have accused the family of profiting from the country’s natural resources while not investing enough in basic services for the population of more than 2 million.
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