GABON – Coup attempt: President Ali Bongo under house arrest

The president of Gabon since 2009, Ali Bongo, was placed under house arrest, announced on August 30, 2023 putschists, on television. One of the sons of the outgoing head of state, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, was also arrested, they added. Earlier this Wednesday, a group of soldiers declared on Gabon 24 channel the cancellation of the results of the general elections that gave the re-election of Ali Bongo with 64.27% of the votes cast.

President Ali Bongo “is under house arrest. He is surrounded by his family and doctors.” This is what military putschists said on August 30, 2023, according to a statement read on state television by members of the self-proclaimed Committee for Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI).

They say that several arrests have also taken place in the entourage of Ali Bongo, including that of his son Noureddin Valentin. The military announced an open investigation against these people for, among other things, «high treason against state institutions», «massive embezzlement of public funds», «active corruption» or «narcotics trafficking».

In addition to these statements, another sequence is regularly broadcast on the news channel Gabon 24: that of scenes of jubilation of soldiers of the republican guard, responsible for ensuring the security of the presidency, who carry in triumph their leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema. On the other hand, the communiqués of the putschists being for the moment signed only on behalf of the CTRI, impossible to know if it is indeed this officer who is behind this attempted coup d’état.

Gabon is plunged into uncertainty on August 30, 2023. The president of the Gabonese Center for Elections (CGE) announced on television the victory of President Ali Bongo with 64.27% of the vote. Then, a few minutes later, a group of soldiers appeared on Gabon 24 – whose studios are in the presidency – to announce the end of the regime in place, the cancellation of the elections and the dissolution of the institutions of the Republic. These men say they are part of the security forces. They say they are gathered in the CTRI.

According to their statement, the organization of the elections did not meet “the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive election”. The putschists even speak of “truncated results”. They call for calm and serenity. Other measures announced: the dissolution of institutions, the closing of borders.

Dissolution of institutions and closure of borders announced
A trade unionist of Cameroonian carriers joined by Amélie Tulet says that the border is hermetically closed since this morning at the border post of Kyé-Ossi in the south of Cameroon. Transactions continue at the informal level, at the level of the tracks, because in this forest area on the borders of Cameroon/ Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea, the border is porous. But at the official border post of Kyé-Ossi, no truck passes, according to Hillaire Dzipan, special advisor of the National Union of Road Carriers of Cameroon.

At the end of the morning, in Libreville, the situation is rather calm. Military vehicles circulate in the streets. As they pass, there are signs of joy, while the soldiers greet with their hands. But nothing allows to say in their attitude if they are close to the putschists. The internet is being restored, network cut since August 26 at the end of the day, days of the general elections in the country.

On the side of the main opposition coalition, Alternance 2023, which still claims the victory of its candidate Albert Ondo Ossa in Saturday’s presidential election, we observe. According to an official, the meetings scheduled this Wednesday morning have been cancelled, and the various leaders are safe.

China calls for «guaranteeing Ali Bongo’s personal security»
In the hours that followed the reading of the communiqué by the putschists, international reactions multiplied. China, a major partner of Gabon, called on «the parties concerned» in Gabon to «guarantee the security» of Ali Bongo». Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy, said: “China closely monitors the situation in Gabon and calls on the parties concerned to act in the interest of the Gabonese people…, to immediately return to normal order, and to guarantee the personal security of Ali Bongo.”

As for France, it also reacted through the voice of its Prime Minister. Elisabeth Borne explained that France follows «with the greatest attention» the situation. Shortly after, the government spokesman, Olivier Véran, said that «France condemns the military coup that is underway in Gabon». French diplomacy «reaffirms its wish that the result of the election, when known, can be respected», added Olivier Véran, during a press conference at the end of the Council of Ministers.