The African Union Commission has called on Gabonese national army and security forces to adhere strictly to their republican vocation and to guarantee President Ali Bongo, his family members’ physical integrity, and those of his government.
AU Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat who made the call in a statement on Wednesday while following with great concern the situation in Gabon and strongly condemned the attempted coup d’état in the country as a means out of the current post-electoral crisis.
Faki Mahamat strongly recalled that it constitutes a flagrant violation of the legal and political instruments of the African Union, including the African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance.
The Chairman of the Commission encouraged all political, civil and military actors in Gabon to give priority to peaceful political avenues, and a rapid return to democratic constitutional order in the country.
Meanwhile, a video has surfaced on social media where the ousted Gabonese President, Ali Bongo, was begging his international friends to “make noise” following Wednesday’s coup.
According to the report, in the 51-second video, Bongo confirmed that he had been arrested and isolated from his son and wife, who he said were held at another place.
Bongo said, “My name is Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon. I am sending a message to all friends that we have all over the world, to tell them to make noise, to make noise.”
Born Alain Bernard Bongo on February 9, 1959, in Congo- Brazzaville, the 64-year-old was Gabon’s president from 2009 when his Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for almost 42 years, from 1967 died.
In a French statement which was read out by one of the officer on Gabon 24 television channel said the military junta has announced “putting an end to the regime” and cancelling the results of a recent election.
The military who expressed dissatisfaction to the general elections of 26 August 2023, admitted that the organisation of the polls did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot which brings so much hoped for people of Gabon
The outcome of the election heightened tensions, forcing the military to intervene. “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime,” one of the soldiers said during the declaration.
This, the Gabonese military junta added, was down to “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.