Coup: Army overthrows Gabonese president
The Gabonese Army this morning staged a coup and toppled the government of President Ali Bongo. The Army said it took the action because they are unhappy with the leadership of the president. The president is recovering from a stroke in Morocco.
Report says a New Year’s eve address by Ali Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out the responsibilities of his office,” said Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.
The radio message was broadcast at around 5.30am today.
A source close to the government said there were gunshots around the national television station, but that the plotters appeared to be a small group of soldiers but a government spokesman told Reuters he would make a statement shortly.
Bongo, 59, was hospitalised in October in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke. He has been in Morocco since November to continue treatment.
In his New Year speech, Bongo who spoke with a slurred voice acknowledged health problems but said he was recovering. He could not move his right arm while speaking to the people.
The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country for nearly half a century. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009. His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.
Report says a New Year’s eve address by Ali Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out the responsibilities of his office,” said Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.
The radio message was broadcast at around 5.30am today.
A source close to the government said there were gunshots around the national television station, but that the plotters appeared to be a small group of soldiers but a government spokesman told Reuters he would make a statement shortly.
Bongo, 59, was hospitalised in October in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke. He has been in Morocco since November to continue treatment.
In his New Year speech, Bongo who spoke with a slurred voice acknowledged health problems but said he was recovering. He could not move his right arm while speaking to the people.
The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country for nearly half a century. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009. His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.
