Soldiers
in the west African country say they launched a coup "to restore
democracy".
They
took control of the national radio station at 04:30 local time (03:30 GMT) to
read a short statement announcing a "National Restoration Council".
Tanks
and armed vehicles can be seen on the streets of the capital Libreville.
Ali
Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won
re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.
Mr
Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a
stroke in October and received treatment in Morocco.
He sought to put an
end to the rumours about his health with a televised New Year message in which
he said he was feeling fine.
Soldiers
said they had been disappointed by the message, calling it "a pitiful
sight" and a "relentless attempt to cling onto power."
"It
reinforced doubts about his ability to assume the responsibilities of his role
as President of the Republic", said Lt Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of
the so-called Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.
He
specifically appealed to young people to "take charge of their
destiny".
The
insurgents called on soldiers to take control of the transport system,
ammunition reserves and airports "in the interests of the nation".
There
is no word so far from the government.
President
Trump has deployed soldiers to Gabon to protect US citizens amid fears of
violent protests in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo following its
presidential election.
BBC...
0 Comments