Ousted Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed under house arrest after military officers declared having seized power from in a stunning coup, threatening the family’s half-century rule over the central African nation.
Yesterday, men in army uniform appeared on national television and announced the president’s house arrest during the military takeover, prompting celebrations and reports of gunfire on the streets of the capital – but condemnation overseas.
The army officers appeared on national television to say they had nullified election results that declared Bongo the winner, effectively ending his family’s 53-year hold on power.
Bongo was declared the winner in the results announced last week on Saturday.
The electoral commission said Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.
The action in Gabon comes in the wake of a similar action in Niger where President Mohamed Bazoum remains detained since July 26 when the army announced a take-over.
Presidential guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiachi has since proclaimed himself leader of the junta in Niger.
This raises concerns on the increased coups in Africa in recent years.
“It is brought to the attention of the national and international community that Ali Bongo Ondimba is being kept under house arrest,” an unnamed junta spokesperson said on state TV yesterday morning, adding that the ousted president is surrounded by his “family and doctors.”
The junta later announced that General Brice Oligui Nguema would act as a transitional leader.
Speaking on national television surrounded by fellow soldiers on Wednesday evening, a spokesman for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) said that Oligui had been “unanimously” designated as “president of the transition.”
The junta’s spokesperson said authorities will investigate charges against the president’s son, Nourredin Bongo Valentin, who was arrested alongside six other individuals for “high treason.”
Video footages of soldiers in the capital Libreville celebrating in support of coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema have since gone viral.
He was seen on the shoulders of army personnel, who were shouting “president.”
