Libreville (Gabon). Rebel soldiers in the central African country of Gabon said on Wednesday that President Ali Bongo Ondimba had been placed under house arrest. Hours after Ondimba was declared victorious in the presidential election, the military claimed a coup. The Ondimba family has ruled the oil-rich country for the past 55 years. Meanwhile, a video has surfaced of President Ondimba calling on the public to ‘resist’ the coup.
However, the public was seen celebrating his ouster by taking to the streets of the capital and singing the national anthem. The video is believed to have been recorded after he was placed under house arrest. Ondimba’s family is accused of getting rich from the country’s resources while many of the country’s citizens are struggling for even basic resources. International observers criticized the presidential election, which resulted in Ondimba being declared the winner, and an attempted coup by the military just hours after the results were announced.
There was public dissatisfaction with Ondimba’s rule.
Ali Bongo Ondimba (64) took over after the death of his father in 2009 and has served two terms. His father ruled the country for 41 years and there was widespread discontent against his rule over the years. Another group of rebel soldiers attempted a coup in 2019, but were quickly put down. Gabon, a former French colony, is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is limited in the hands of a few.
Rebel soldiers claimed that Ondimba’s regime was in danger of spreading chaos
According to a World Bank report, about 40 percent of the population aged 15 to 24 in Gabon was unemployed in 2020. According to reports published in the French media, several members of the Bongo family are under investigation in France, and some have been charged with embezzlement, money laundering and other forms of corruption. A spokesman for the troops behind the coup said on Wednesday that Ondimba’s “unpredictable, irresponsible rule” risked chaos in the country.
People close to the President accused of embezzlement, many arrested
In a statement later, the coup leaders said people close to the president had been arrested on charges of “betrayal of government institutions, large-scale embezzlement of public funds and international financial embezzlement”. The attempted coup in Gabon came about a month after rebel soldiers in Niger seized power from a democratically elected government. It is the latest in a series of coups in West and Central Africa in recent years.
Gabon soldiers celebrated
According to Maja Bovkon, senior analyst at risk assessment company Verisk Maplecroft, ‘the lack of action against insurgents in other countries in Africa inspired Gabon’s troops to take this step.’ The move reflects divisions among the ruling class, but it is unclear whether it will change the status quo. Celebrating soldiers chanted slogans in support of the head of the Republican Guard, who is a relative of Ondimba. However, it is also not clear whether the army wants to name him as its new leader or not.
The election results declared Ondimba the winner but…
Gabon’s presidential election was criticized by international observers, but relative calm prevailed until early Wednesday, when Ondimba was declared the winner. Within minutes of the election results being announced, gunfire rang out in downtown Libreville, the capital. Later, a dozen uniformed soldiers appeared on state television and announced that they had seized power.
After the coup, the people thanked the army
After the army’s announcement, people took to the streets of the city and celebrated the end of the Ondimba regime by singing the national anthem with the soldiers. Yolande Okoma, standing in front of soldiers from Gabon’s elite Republican Guard, said, ‘Thank you. Army we have been waiting for this moment for a long time now it has arrived. Shopkeeper Vivienne Mbo offered the soldiers juice, which they declined. Libreville is considered a stronghold of the opposition, but it was not clear how the coup attempt was viewed in the countryside, where traditionally more people support Ondimba.
The President sought support from the public
Ondimba later appeared in a video in which he is seen appealing to the public for support. In the video, he is seen sitting on a chair with a bookcase behind him. Ondimba said he is at his house while his wife and son are in different places. In the video, Ondimba can be heard saying, “I call on you to protest, to protest.” The video was shared with The Associated Press by BTP Consultants. BTP consultants helped the President campaign during the election.
Several French companies completed their work
Verisk Maplecroft senior analyst Maja Bovokone said there had been discontent within the Bongo family for years and the coup attempt was not surprising. Military officers who orchestrated the coup said in a statement that the president is under house arrest at his residence and is accompanied by family and doctors. Several French companies present in Gabon said they were closing their operations here to ensure the safety of their employees. On calling the airport, an employee said that flights are canceled on Wednesday.
Ships stopped operating at the country’s main port of Libreville
Embrey, a private intelligence agency, said ships operating at the country’s main port of Libreville had been suspended and authorities were not allowing ships to leave the coast. French government spokesman Olivier Veran said on Wednesday, ‘France condemns the military coup in Gabon and is closely monitoring developments there. France reiterates that the election results, once known, must be respected.’
Fear of increased instability due to military coups
The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the organization’s ministers would discuss the Gabon issue this week. “If it is confirmed that this is a military coup, it will increase instability in the entire region,” he said. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has asked the parties to resolve the matter peacefully. He said that the interests of the country and its people should be taken care of during this time.
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Tags: Africa, South Africa, World news, World News in Hindi
First published: August 30, 2023, 21:36 IST