Gabon coup declared, leader under house arrest

LIBREVILLE — The Gabonese military officers have canceled presidential election results and dissolved state institutions, officers said Wednesday, claiming that they have taken power and put President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest.

In a televised statement, a group of senior Gabonese officers said that they seized power after Bongo, the incumbent president, was announced to be reelected in a contested election. The election results were canceled, state institutions dissolved, and all borders closed until further notice, they said.

Gabon's national electoral body said earlier in the day that Bongo from the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party was reelected for a third term in Saturday's election. However, the officers said that the election was not credible. According to local media, gunfire was heard in Libreville.

"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 on national television. They read a statement on behalf of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.

The Gabonese presidency and the government have not yet responded to the statement.

Tracking development

"China is closely following the developments in Gabon," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a daily briefing on Wednesday.

"We call on relevant sides in the country to proceed from the fundamental interests of the nation and the people, resolve differences peacefully through dialogue, restore order at an early date, ensure the personal safety of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, and safeguard the larger interests of national peace, stability and development."

The Chinese embassy in Gabon said it has activated the emergency response mechanism for major emergencies.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU's defense ministers would discuss the situation in Gabon.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said France is following events in Gabon "with the greatest attention".

Russia said it was "deeply concerned" over the situation in Gabon.

Ali Bongo, 64, once served as minister of defense and other posts in the government. He was elected president of the Gabonese Republic in 2009 and was reelected in 2016.

Gabon gained independence from France in 1960.

Agencies - Xinhua