On Friday, pressure intensified on the coup leaders in Gabon to restore power to a civilian government following their ousting of President Ali Bongo two days prior and the announcement of a new president. This coup marks the eighth in West and Central Africa in three years, triggering large crowds to celebrate in the streets of the capital, Libreville, but it has also faced condemnation from both domestic and international sources.
The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) stated yesterday, after an emergency meeting, that it urged partners led by the United Nations and the African Union to support a swift return to constitutional order. They announced another meeting scheduled for Monday. The main opposition group in Gabon, the Alternative Party 2023, which claims to be the legitimate winner of the Saturday elections, called on the international community on Friday to urge the military council to return power to civilians.
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Bongo has ruled the country since 2009, succeeding his father who had been president since 1967 until his death. Opponents argue that the family has done little to ensure that Gabon's oil and mining wealth benefits its population of 2.3 million, nearly a third of whom are poor. For many years, the Bongo family has occupied an opulent palace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and owns expensive cars and properties in France and the United States, mostly paid for in cash, according to a 2020 investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, a global network of investigative journalists.
The military leaders ordered the arrest of one of Bongo's sons, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, along with several members of Bongo's government on accusations ranging from embezzlement to drug trafficking. Gabon 24, the state television station, reported yesterday that bags filled with cash were seized from the homes of several officials, including footage of a raid on the home of former Prime Minister Ian Ghislain Ngoulou. Ngoulou told the channel that the funds were part of Bongo's election campaign. Bongo Valentin was seen alongside him, although it was unclear when the images were taken.
On Friday, lawyers for Bongo's wife reported that Bongo Valentin was being held in an unknown location and expressed concern for his safety. Quiet prevailed in the streets of Libreville on Friday amid a heavy security presence, with discussions focused on the military council's response.
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The impact of the pressure remains unclear, as previous efforts to reverse coups in other countries in recent years have failed. The events in Gabon follow recent coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad, undermining democratic gains in a region where insecurity and widespread poverty have weakened elected governments and raised concerns among foreign powers with strategic interests in the area.
On Friday, the White House stated that it continues to seek "sustainable diplomatic solutions" to the situations in Gabon and Niger, where a coup recently overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The military council has not announced any transitional plans, and Ngoyema is expected to deliver his first speech on Monday.
The African Union's Peace and Security Council urged the military yesterday to refrain from intervening in the political process and called for fair and transparent elections, stating that it would impose sanctions on the coup leaders if they fail to restore constitutional order. France, which once colonized Gabon, and other Western countries condemned the military coup.
