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A group of high-ranking military officers in Gabon appeared on TV on Wednesday to announce the nullification of the country’s recent election results, citing a lack of credibility.
The move comes after the state electoral body declared President Ali Bongo the winner of a third term.
“In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said.
The announcement on the Gabon 24 TV channel was made on behalf of a group calling itself the “Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.”
Claiming to represent all of Gabon’s security and defense forces, the officers declared the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic.”
They cited “irresponsible, unpredictable governance” leading to a deteriorating social climate as the reason for their intervention, aiming to restore peace by ending the current regime.
The group also announced that the “borders are closed until further notice.”
In a related development, gunfire was heard in the capital city of Libreville, according to news reports.
Tensions high since election
Tensions have escalated following Saturday’s election, where Bongo aimed to continue his family’s 55-year rule amid opposition calls for change in the resource-rich but impoverished nation.
Concerns about the vote’s transparency grew due to the absence of international observers, suspension of foreign broadcasts, and a nationwide internet blackout and curfew imposed by authorities.
There was no immediate comment from the government.
In 2019, soldiers had declared on the state radiothat they had “formed a national restoration council” to oust President Ali Bongo.
The coup attempt lasted less than a week after military forces stormed the station with eight plotters arrested and two killed.
ss/sms (AFP, Reuters)
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