On Wednesday morning, Gabonese army soldiers operating under the auspices of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions gave a nationally televised address to say they had taken power. They outlined their plans to replace President Ali Bongo, hence the coup earlier Wednesday.
They said they were annulling the results of Saturday’s election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.
Military officials later said that Bongo had been placed under house arrest and one of his sons arrested for treason.
His overthrow would end his family’s 53-year hold on power in Gabon.
Gabon is one of Africa’s major oil producers, while nearly 90% of the country is covered by forests.
It joined the Commonwealth in June 2022, becoming one of its few members not to have been a British colony.
The soldiers emphasised that the coup was “necessary” for the development of the West African nation and that significant institutional, political, economic, and social difficulties were the main causes of it.
The junta declared in a French speech delivered to the entire country but translated into English by AFP, “Our lovely country, Gabon, has always been a refuge of peace.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis.
“We are therefore forced to admit that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.
“Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.
“Today, 30 August 2023, we, the defence and security forces, gathered as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions’ protection—have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime.
“To this end, the general elections of 26 August 2023 and the truncated results are cancelled.
“The borders are closed until further notice.
The junta resolved that all of the country’s institutions, including the federal government, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, and the Gabonese Elections Centre, should be dissolved.
Therefore, they called for calm and serenity among the public, the communities of sister countries settled in Gabon, and the Gabonese diaspora.
“We reaffirm our commitment to respecting Gabon’s commitments to the national and international community.
“People of Gabon, we are finally on the road to happiness.
“May God and the spirits of our ancestors bless Gabon. Honour and loyalty to our homeland.”
