Watch: A group of soldiers takes over power on live TV, cancel 2023 Presidential Elections in Gabon

A group of a dozen Gabonese soldiers announced, on Wednesday, August 30, in a press release read on the Gabon 24 television channel housed within the presidency, the cancellation of the elections in Gabon, the dissolution of “all the institutions of the Republic” and the closure of the borders “until further notice”.

After noting “an irresponsible, unpredictable governance which results in a continuous deterioration of social cohesion which risks leading the country to chaos (…) we have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the regime in place”, declared one of these soldiers claiming to speak on behalf of a “Transition and Institutional Restoration Committee”. During this statement, AFP journalists heard automatic gunfire in Libreville.

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The announcement came shortly after the publication of the official results of Saturday’s presidential election, which saw incumbent President Ali Bongo Odimba, in power for 14 years, win a third term with 64.27% of the vote.

Ali Bongo came to power when his father Omar died in 2009.

In 2018, he suffered a stroke which sidelined him for almost a year and led to calls for him to step aside. The following year, a failed coup attempt saw mutinying soldiers sent to prison.

Watch the video;

#Gabon After the announce of the fraudulent electoral results declaring Ali Bongo as winner, the Gabonese army has seized control of the country and has called for the dissolution of all institutions. pic.twitter.com/w6PGfB4oZZ

— Elle Vit Belle (She/Her) (@ElvineBelinda) August 30, 2023