On national television on Wednesday, August 30, Gabonese army personnel declared that they had “put an end to [Bongo’s] rule.
Members of the gendarme, republican guard, and other security forces divisions made up the soldiers you saw on television.
In Libreville, the capital of Gabon, witnesses have reported hearing heavy automatic rifle fire.
“Today our country is going through a grave political crisis,” the military men started.
We have observed an “irresponsible, unforeseeable governance that has resulted in the steady degradation of social cohesion which risks leading the country to chaos […] we have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the regime in power,” the armed men said.
They introduced themselves as members of the CTRI (Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions).
[Dear] “people of Gabon, we are finally on the road to bliss, may God and the souls of our ancestors bless our country,” they concluded.
The have also announced the following:
- Borders are Closed Until Further Notice.
“We call on the people, the communities of brotherly nations that reside in Gabon as well as the Gabonese diaspora to remain calm and serene.”
As voting in important national elections came to a close on Saturday, August 26, the government of Gabon declared a nationwide curfew and shut down internet access.
After ballots were cast to choose the country’s future president, national legislators, and municipal officials, the announcement was made.
Many citizens of Gabon’s capital left the nation entirely or travelled to see relatives who lived in other regions due to fears of post-election violence. Others increased their food reserves or improved house security.
Due to long-standing grievances among the 800,000 or so residents, there was fear of violence before the election. According to the World Bank, about 40% of Gabonese between the ages of 15 and 24 were unemployed in 2020.
