By Emmanuel Oti Acheampong
The Democratic Republic of Gabon, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, saw an end to a fifty-three-year family governance and administration through a military intervention.
Even though the military takeover is not what will be applauded for by the continent and the world at large, it has ended what seemed like an abuse of democratic atmosphere and practices.
The country has been under the leadership of former and late President, Omar Bongo from 1967 till 2009 with his son Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeding him even though through an election from 2009 till 2023.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to oust the former president, Ali Bongo with the recent one occurring in 2019.
According to an International Relations Analyst, the military occurrence in Gabon is as a result of the deterioration of the popular will of the people and also a retrogression within the democratic practice in the country.
The new development in Gabon renders them the eighth country to experience a military takeover within the course of five years, taking over from Burkina Faso and Niger respectively.
According to reports, the Coup in Gabon was necessary because there were rumors of another succession of the Presidential seat by the son of the ousted Ali Bongo. This would have gone down in history as one of the biggest political and government dynasties in the continent and the world at large.
In a video going viral on social media after the military group announced on national television the takeover, the ousted Ali Bongo, is seen pleading with the people of Gabon to make noise for his rescue from the house arrest imposed on him.
The question remains, will the people who have been jubilating to his overthrow heed to his plea?