Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed under house arrest, while his son faces arrest for “treason,” according to military sources. This development comes shortly after the military announced the overthrow of the government.
President Ali Bongo is confined to his residence, surrounded by family and medical professionals, as reported on state TV. Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his son and close adviser, along with Chief of Staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, other presidential advisers, and key officials from the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party, have been detained on charges that include treason, corruption, embezzlement, and falsifying the president’s signature.
The military’s action follows closely on the heels of Bongo’s declared victory in Saturday’s elections, which was later annulled by the military. The coup, orchestrated by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions within the Gabonese army, cites grave institutional, political, economic, and social crises as driving factors behind the takeover.
In a televised message, the junta stated, “Gabon, our beloved nation, has historically been a haven of tranquility. However, the present situation sees our nation grappling with severe challenges across institutions, politics, economy, and society.”
In response, the junta has invalidated the results of the August 26, 2023 general elections and has taken the step to close the country’s borders indefinitely.
This unexpected turn of events underscores the turbulence that has gripped Gabon and highlights the military’s assertion that drastic measures are necessary to navigate the nation toward stability and progress.