International Yoga Day 2024: History, significance, theme of the day

 

If successful, the coup would be the 8th in West and Central Africa since 2020

In the early hours of Wednesday, a group of senior military officers from Gabon took to national television to announce a significant development. Their message came just moments after the state election body declared President Ali Bongo as the victor of a third term.

Speaking on Gabon 24, a prominent television channel, the officers conveyed that they were acting on behalf of all security and defense forces within the Central African nation. Their announcement encompassed the cancellation of the election results, the immediate closure of borders until further notice, and the dissolution of state institutions.

A subsequent statement was conveyed through national television, wherein the military officers disclosed their action of placing President Bongo under house arrest. It is worth noting that Bongo assumed office in 2009, succeeding his father Omar, who had governed Gabon since 1967. Critics have consistently asserted that the family has not adequately distributed the nation's wealth from oil and mining among its population of 2.3 million people.

As dawn broke following the overnight announcement, hundreds of individuals thronged the streets of the capital city, Libreville, to express their jubilation. The televised declaration, believed to have been captured within the presidential palace premises based on the televised footage, set the stage for this celebratory scene.

This prospective coup, if it attains success, would mark the eighth such occurrence across West and Central Africa since the year 2020. This unsettling trend of coups, witnessed in countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger, has dealt significant blows to the advancement of democratic processes in the region.

Merely a month ago, Niger experienced a military takeover, a development that reverberated across the Sahel and engaged global powers with vested strategic interests.

As of now, there has been no immediate response from the government of this nation that holds membership in OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). Additionally, there are no prompt updates regarding the whereabouts of President Bongo. His last public appearance was when he participated in the election by casting his vote on the preceding Saturday.

 

France and Other Nations Monitor Developing Situation in Gabon

As the unfolding events in Gabon continue to captivate attention, France, the nation's former colonial ruler, is closely tracking the situation. This coup introduces further uncertainty concerning France's regional presence. With approximately 350 troops stationed within Gabon, the French government is poised to navigate potential ramifications. France has previously faced expulsions of its forces from Mali and Burkina Faso following coups, as a wave of anti-French sentiment surged. Moreover, leaders of Niger's recent coup have also nullified military agreements with France. Notably, Gabon, a producer of around 200,000 barrels of oil per day, hosts global enterprises such as TotalEnergies and Perenco, which has Anglo-French affiliations. Operations by French mining company Eramet, known for its substantial manganese endeavors in Gabon, have been halted due to the ongoing developments.

International Concerns Grow: China and Russia Express Worry

China, through its foreign ministry, has advocated for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Gabon. Expressing concern, China also emphasized the necessity to ensure the personal safety of President Bongo, who visited China in April. Echoing this sentiment, Russia's foreign ministry expressed apprehension about the unfolding scenario, hoping for a return to stability.

The Shift in Power: Military Takes Control

The military personnel involved in the coup have identified themselves as members of "The Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions." Their actions have led to the dissolution of key state institutions including the government, senate, national assembly, constitutional court, and election body. In a statement, the officers emphasized that their intervention is driven by the goal of defending peace and terminating the current regime.

Election Tensions and Allegations of Irregularities

Preceding the coup, tensions were already palpable in Gabon due to concerns of potential unrest following the presidential, parliamentary, and legislative elections. President Bongo, aiming to extend his family's 56-year grip on power, faced opposition from those advocating for change in this resource-rich but economically disadvantaged nation. The election saw President Bongo declared the winner with 64.2% of the vote, while his primary challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa, secured second place with 30.7%. Allegations of fraud were raised by Ondo Ossa and his opposition alliance, citing polling station delays and other irregularities.

Transparency Concerns and Past Unrest

In the backdrop of the electoral process, concerns were raised regarding the transparency of the elections. International observers were absent, foreign broadcasts were suspended, and the internet was cut while a nationwide curfew was imposed after the polls. These measures, according to the government, aimed to combat the spread of misinformation and ensure public safety. The alliance Alternance 2023 reported further alleged irregularities, including mismanagement of ballot slips. Past instances, such as the attempted military coup in 2019 and the contentious 2016 election, underscore the complex political landscape of Gabon.