People in Gabon celebrate toppling of pro-France government

People in Gabon have taken to the streets in droves to celebrate the military's toppling of the pro-France government of President Ali Bongo.

On Wednesday, the people in the capital Libreville and some other cities gathered to celebrate, a few hours after a group of senior military officers announced they had seized power and placed the newly re-elected president under house arrest.

The military takeover came minutes after the results of the presidential election showed that President Bongo had won a third term in an allegedly rigged election, further extending his family’s 55-year rule in the oil-rich Central African nation.

The coup leaders allege that the election held over the weekend was not credible, prompting them to seize power due to “election fraud.” International observers have also criticized the vote.

Gabon military officers declare coup after presidential election in oil-rich country

A group of army officers in the central African nation of Gabon say they have overthrown the government of President Ali Bongo.

Opponents say the Bongo family has done almost nothing to share the state's oil and mining wealth with the country’s 2.3 million people during its more than half a century in charge of Gabon.

This is while France, Gabon's former colonial ruler, has condemned the military coup in the African country.

The French government’s spokesman Olivier Veran said earlier in the day that Paris was following events “with a lot of attention” and that it “reiterates its desire to see the results of the election respected,” referring to Saturday's disputed presidential election in Gabon.

France has around 400 soldiers permanently deployed in Gabon for training and military support, including at a base in the capital Libreville, and has extensive economic relations with the African country in the mining and oil sectors.

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Germany also condemned the coup while acknowledging there were legitimate concerns with the polls that preceded the military takeover of the central African nation.

"It is not up to the military to intervene by force in the political process. Gabonese people must be able to autonomously and freely decide their future," Germany's foreign ministry said.

White House: US deeply 'concerned' by situation in Gabon

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the United States was deeply "concerned" by events in Gabon. 

Kirby said all US embassy personnel and troops had been accounted for after the officers toppled the pro-West government of President Bongo.

"It's deeply concerning to us. We will remain a supporter of the people in the region, a supporter of the people of Gabon and of their demand for democratic governance," he told a briefing. "We're watching this closely."

"I think it's too soon to call this a trend," said Kirby, adding that the United States would "remain focused on promoting democracy on the continent."
 

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