Military officers have staged a coup in Gabon, seizing the state radio station as they declared their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the country for 50 years.
President Ali Bongo who is currently recovering from a stroke in Morocco took over the country’s rulership from his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 42 years before his death in 2009.
The Gabonese soldiers staging the coup announced the establishment of a “restoration council” via the national radio station after it was taken over by soldiers.
There were reports of shots being fired in the capital, Libreville, on Monday, Aljazeera reported.
Reading out a statement, the military officers condemned President Ali Bongo who addressed his compatriots last week from Morocco for the first time since reportedly suffering a stroke in October.
A New Year’s address by Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office”, said Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.
“Once again, one time too many, the wielders of power deceptively continue to instrumentalise the person of Ali Bongo Ondimba, a patient devoid of many of his physical and mental faculties,” said Obiang.
Gunfire was heard around state television offices in the centre of the capital at about 6:30am (05:30 GMT), and military vehicles blocked access to the site, an AFP news agency correspondent reported.
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Bongo, 59, is said to have suffered a stroke on October 24 while visiting Saudi Arabia and has since been treated in Morocco. His family has ruled the oil-rich Central African nation for nearly half a century.
The president posted a video message recorded in Rabat and distributed via social and traditional media last Monday in which he admitted he had been “through a difficult period”.
But he added: “Today, as you can see, I am preparing to meet you again soon.”
Presidential spokesperson Ike Ngouoni later told AFP, “This speech is proof that President Ali Bongo is fully recovered. His health problems are now behind him.”
In a video circulating on social media, Ondo Obiang is seen in a radio studio wearing military fatigues and a green beret as he reads the statement. Two other soldiers with assault rifles stand behind him.
Ondo Obiang said the coup was being carried out against “those who, in a cowardly way, assassinated our young compatriots on the night of August 31, 2016” – a reference to deadly violence that erupted after Bongo was declared the winner of a disputed election.
A source close to the government said told Reuters news agency the plotters appeared to be a small group of soldiers. A spokesman for the presidency said he would make a statement shortly.
The US military has deployed soldiers and equipment to Gabon amid fears of violent protests in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after its contested presidential election.
US President Donald Trump told US Congress on Friday the first of about 80 troops arrived in Gabon last Wednesday to protect US citizens and diplomatic facilities should violence break out in DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.
Bongo won re-election in 2016 by fewer than 6,000 votes, sparking deadly clashes between protesters and police during which the parliament was torched.
The European Union said it found anomalies during the election in Bongo’s stronghold province of Haut-Ogooue, where he won 95 percent on a 99.9 percent turnout.
They should make sure no one directly or indirectly related to that family will smell the seat.
Same to you
If it is for an opportunity to give democracy a chance then so be it!
Finally
YES AFRICA WAKE UP
The beat goes on…only in Africa.
He is even a Nigerian. He has gone there to show himself
let that same spirit fall on Nigeria, we’ve had enough God plssssss.
How I wish Nigeria too experience that
Gabon military have more sophisticated guns than Nigeria Military.
50 years?
I fully support it…keep it up guys.
Coups often occur early in the Happy New Year when soldiers have had enough watching wealthy and corrupt leaders feasting and partying
Nigerian be careful!
Ajibade Tunji Idowu yes 50 years. They have turned it to a monarchy
9ja no get mind…so 4gerrrriitt!!!
It can’t happen in 9ja…common Boko Haram dem dey run away from. Who wants to start a war when one hasn’t finished enjoying roasted fish and alcohol with night life flexing???
The coup plotters have been arrested. Situation under control.
I doubt if we still have brave and patriotic soldiers in Nigeria, seems what we have now in our military are lily livered soldiers… Politicians are destroying our country while our soldiers looks on. Army needs to topple this our corrupt and inefficient Government….
I Hope those cowards over here are getting inspiration from Gabon military instead of killing innocent IPOB everytime.
David Amadi . That’s laughable
Who arrested them? You?
Lol. I don’t support military coups but I support this one.. Na wetin na? Na them get the country?
I wanted to reply but when i look at your tie i know you are commenting out of frustration…sorry
Overdue!
Nzelum Nnaemeka funny you …and it took them 50 years?
All will be arrested for treasonous offences.
Good job, well-done boys
Is expected long ago.
When the government arrest you or declare you wanted for treasonable offence. Some other stupid people saying the government is brutal. Always be reasonable with comment on a forum like this
Nigeria is next.. 2019 election go shock the world.
Philip Igbokwe, a coup will soon happen in Nigeria, the signs are all over the air the foolish lifeless tranny imposed on us will not like to leave aso rock but he will soon leave by force in a coffin.
Great
We pray for sure intervention to take place in Nigeria.
We blame PDP for this coup
Army where more dan 50% are bokoharams??
Hakeem Rabiu . Arrest who?. Are our politicians not criminals? Are they not destroying our country? Are you saying we should watch them destroy our country? Do we have another country apart from Nigeria? If we watch them destroy our country where will we go to ?
Hakeem Rabiu . Please answer me….
A family ruling a country for 50 years. That’s not good at all.
I heard the man has been in power for ages,,,he is even sick and has refused to relinquish power…..African leaders self….What about Nigerian army…. They don’t have the balls to do so….they only go for errands for the president..
Go to your nearby barrack and and urinate at their gate.Also ask them your questions? They will answer you.
We thank God for liberating Gabonese from the stranglehold of the demonic family.
Austin Andy . Our politicians are worst than the military, go and urinate at the gate of any politician and see if you go back home with ur life
Wisdom Hill na errand boys dem be
Can our Nigeria soldiers replicate this? Now Nigeria is called d zoo nation instead of d giant nation.
LoI
In Nigeria we think we are practicing democracy, unfortunately the Buhari administration looks more like a military dictatorship.
The President has no respect for the rule of law, the legislture and Judiciary.
Chinwenwa Muoneke the man na our brother igbo man, check history
Se oye idile won ni…Na their family inheritance???
Good riddance
Military to military
What is it wit Africa and military rule
Good
We need God intervention first couple with military coups to eradicate all those nonsense political leaders and criminals we have, we need revolution in this country like that one in Ghana
See greed 50years
Useless people..destroyers of democracy is back again to complete African backwardness. Illiterates.if the president is sick then the vice takes over..IF THERE IS ANYTHING LIKE AFRICAN UNION THEY SHOULD GO AND STOP THAT NONESEBSE..
That is good i strongly in support of the military action, greedy family and some stupid people in that country will still be supporting him.
Fake news
O to ge !!!
An Igbo man Ikenna, is a politician there. ??? but let me ask, who asked US Army to go in there? I know it is not out of love but business interest [OIL]???
The idiots will end up setting the country 50years backward ??
Godeybaba Jokodola Adeniyi Ib hahaha
Philip Igbokwe We should always be cautious about the way we go out to express our grievances. When you call the me to take power from an elected government is treason. Am not holding fort for the politicians.
Ali bongo is an adopted biafra igbo boy so go read history before you igbo start praying for coup by military in Niger,had it been Jonathan pdp didn’t loose to apc none you wont be talking this selfish igbo bull shiits.
PMB should be careful,rig and be couped out
Hakeem Rabiu . So because they’re elected, so we should allow few of them to destroy a country of about 200 million people? I stand by my earlier comment
Matthew Uche Leleh it will happen here after the election
We have experienced that before and the army are even worst
Godeybaba Jokodola Adeniyi Ib , let me go and check his tie too. Hahhah
Adarighofua Aaron Nigeria is the next
Adeyemi Oluwatosin . The military built our refinery, politicians can’t even repair it…the military built our roads and bridges, politicians can’t repair them. Our country was safe in the military era, today there’s kidnapping, boko haram, yahoo yahoo, ritual killings, joblessness etc. What go has the politicians done to this country? Name one
They are all part off the corrupt system, fully gaining from the corruption of the politicians
Good
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I love it, how can one family rules for so long
Philip Igbokwe The constitutional responsibilities of the military is not governance . Please stop justifying your earlier assertion.
Good move.
Welcome development,,,
good
Gr8
Hakeem Rabiu . So should we allow some few charlatans that calls themselves politicians to destroy our motherland ?
If military coups are the solution to good governance,Nigerians wouldn’t be sending curses to some former Nigeria military rulers. Therefore in Nigeria,there is less miracles a military administration would perform that will surpass a Democratically elected persons that can be replaced through I
our votes unlike the military.
So,unlike Nigeria,Gabon truly needs military intervention to halt the present dynasty rule though I pray it won’t backfired on ordinary Gabon see like the Post Ghadafi in Libya.
That is really good, I support them for taking power from that ? igbo bastard boy
Gabon country affairs had totally become a family one.. I don’t support coup, but this one is better.
Demola Bakare JP, No serious military uses AK-47. AK-47 is weapon used by rebels, criminals, terrorist. These Gabonese Soldiers in the picture are carring sophisticated FAMAS assault rifle produced in France and M16 assault rifle produced in the United States. Nigeria soldiers are still using AK-47.
Daniel Onah if na ur broda nko? Na him father house
Kudos….they should now go for total resetting..
Nigeria deserved this.
Its serves him right
They are part of the politicians my brother,that is why they don’t want it that way.
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Did u not see the head of all d army air force and navy are all daura hand picked ?
Lol let me see buratai is president abi ?
Ur head is paining u
Ebony Merline . You are ignorant. How does that relate to this topic? Anumanu
Great job
We don’t need any military government in Africa.
Ebony’s point is that coup is unlikely because the military chiefs are loyal to the man from Daura. You should be smart enough to get that
I still stand with late Chief Obafemi Awolowo . The best of the military is worst than the worst democratic government inspite of their patriotic pretensions
Take it back
It’s not fake news some of them have been arrested
David Amadi it’s on international news. Even african union have sent their message
Those involved has been arrested
The coup has been foiled
Akinsalewa Adejumo .my brother, coup plotters are mostly jenior officers.. the general are like politicians, they infact don’t have much power to stop any coup, Jenior officers are from all tribes in Nigeria…these army Generals are political generals.
Have you arrested Buhari for the same coup he staged in Nigeria?
Just read the comments without looking at their names, you will immediately know who they are. Biafrauds!
That’s one of the Trump conspiracies and tue US, to end up the Leadership from the hand of good Muslim and take away with their resources….
It was happened and its still happening if look through the way Gaddafi, Yahya Jameh among others…
Now they settled in Gabon ?? republic to destroy Islam and the Muslim reputations in the heart of the hooligans…
We have to be very aware of their evil plan against us and try to close each and every chance that they can use it to manipulate and embarrass our generous society….
اللهم أعز الإسلام والمسلمين…
Thanks
Nice one
Excellent one.
Wearing to us here
Ghen ghen
Very soon same thing will happen in Nigeria ?? while all these old cargos will be put to where them belong to.
Godeybaba Jokodola Adeniyi Ib you need an eye check cos that guy does not in anyway look frustrated by all standard.
I hope such will not be replicated in Nigeria by2019
I hope such happens in Nigeria
They’re not going to be helpful, as coup is no more fashionable.
And no country can live in isolation in this our 21st century !.
That’s Africa for you
Chukwuma and Ogunmola.
Expecting such in Nigeria is going to be a big failure.
If you know anybody thinking or planning such for now.
Kindly distance yourselves from them, as such idea won’t
lead anybody to anywhere, in this country anymore please.
Military intervention to democratic system is 25 yrs setback.
They have been arrested
Africans are greedy
The idiots need it. The fool must go. Thanks military. Do the needful and return power to civilian but not a retired soldier in civilian garment as they are doing in Nigeria.