Gabon Coup: Fear Grips African Leaders As Continent Descends Into Dictatorship

In a video from detention in his residence, Bongo called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead celebrated the coup against a dynasty accused of getting rich on the country’s wealth while many of its citizens struggled.

Oligui, the new military leader, used to be the bodyguard of Bongo’s father, the late President Omar Bongo, said Desire Ename, a journalist with Echos du Nord, a local media outlet.Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, has served two terms since coming to power in 2009 after the death of his father, who ruled the country for 41 years, and there has been widespread discontent with his reign. Another group of mutinous soldiers attempted a coup in 2019 but was quickly overpowered.

Analysts warned that the takeover risked bringing instability, and could have more to do with divisions among the ruling elite than efforts to improve the lives of ordinary Gabonese.World leaders yesterday condemned the coup in Gabon and called for calm. ”The President is of the unwavering belief that power belongs in the hands of Africa’s great people, and not in the barrel of a loaded gun”, he noted.

He firmly condemns the ongoing coup attempt as a means to resolve the post-electoral crisis. The Secretary-General reaffirms his strong opposition to military coups. Similarly, Wang Wenbin, China spokesperson for the foreign ministry, called for the safety of President Ali Bongo. As reactions continue to trail the military coup in Gabon, Dr Chris Okeke, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said it is a bold statement and African leaders who are wise need to move with the tide and become decisive in tackling the perennial challenges facing the continent.

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