Gabon Military Officers took over power after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of last weekend’s election.
A group of senior military officers have appeared on television in Gabon, claiming they have taken power following last weekend’s election, which they describe as not credible.
The Officers said in the broadcast that they have cancelled the elections, dissolved all state institutions, and closed the country’s borders.
They said they represent all security and defense forces of Gabon.
The announcement came shortly after the state election body declared President Ali Bongo the winner of the elections for a third term in office.
The Electoral Commission said Mr. Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election, which the opposition argued was fraudulent.
His overthrow would end his family’s 53-year hold on power in Gabon.
One of the soldiers said they have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime. This, he added, is down to “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.
Mr. Bongo came to power when his father, Omar Bongo, died in 2009.
