Summary:
In Gabon, a group of senior military leaders announced their control of the country and placed the president under house arrest shortly after a controversial election. The military leaders canceled the election results and dissolved all institutions, triggering celebrations in the capital, Libreville. This event marks the latest in a series of coups and political instability in Francophone Africa. France and other international actors have expressed concern, while some in Gabon see it as an opportunity for a new era without ties to France and the Bongo family, who have long been in power. International journalists and observers faced challenges in covering the election, raising questions about its credibility.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
- A group of senior military leaders in Gabon announced a coup and put President Ali Bongo under house arrest after a controversial election. **(Fact 1)**
- The military leaders appeared on national television to announce the cancellation of the election result, which gave Bongo a third term in office, and the dissolution of all institutions. **(Fact 2)**
- The announcement triggered celebrations on the streets of the capital Libreville, where many people were dissatisfied with Bongo's governance and his health condition. **(Fact 3)**
- Bongo has ruled Gabon since 2009, succeeding his father Omar Bongo who had been in power for 42 years. He suffered a stroke in 2018 and faced a failed coup attempt in 2019. **(Fact 4)**
- The coup in Gabon is the 10th coup or attempted takeover in West and Central Africa in the last three years, raising concerns about the stability of the region and the role of France, the former colonial power. **(Fact 5)**
- The African Union, France, China and the EU have expressed their reactions to the coup, calling for respect of the constitutional order, guarantee of Bongo's safety and peaceful resolution of the crisis. **(Fact 6)**