Highlights | Gabon Crisis | President Bongo under house arrest as coup leaders meet

Morocco has called for the preservation of stability in Central Africa’s Gabon, where coup leaders placed under house arrest President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a 'friend' of Morocco's King Mohammed VI.

Gabon has been one of Morocco’s main allies in Africa since the reign of Mohammed’s father, Hassan II.

Morocco is "following closely the evolution of the situation in the Gabonese republic."

Military officers of Central African nation Gabon announced on August 30 that they have taken power "on behalf of the Gabonese people" and that they were "putting an end to the current regime". The coup occurred just after the results of country's general elections were announced to pave the way for a third presidential term to Ali Bongo Ondimba, who over the years gained notoriety for his alleged corrupt practices.

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Explained | After Niger, this is why coup in Gabon is receiving public support

The US Wednesday said it was deeply concerned by events in Gabon. 

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in a briefing, "We are following this very, very closely."

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who currently chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, is collaborating closely with fellow African leaders to devise a response to the Gabon crisis. According to his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu is carefully monitoring the situation in Gabon and is greatly troubled by the increasing prevalence of autocratic influence throughout the continent.

The suspected coup leader of Gabon, Brice Nguema, earlier said that a meeting of the mutinous soldiers will take place Wednesday at 7:30 PM IST or 14:00 GMT. 

The meeting will decide who will become the transition leader of the Central African nation.

He told this in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde. Brice Nguema is the leader of the elite Republican Guard and a relative to President Ali Bongo.

Commonwealth has issued a statement on Gabon coup. The group termed the developments in the country as "deeply concerning."

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said the bloc was monitoring the situation closely. 

In a statement, Scotland said, "The Commonwealth Charter is clear that member states must uphold the rule of law and the principles of democracy at all times.” 

Gabon became a member of the group last year, along with Togo, another former French colony.

Images broadcasted on Gabon state TV show Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon's presidential guard, being carried aloft by hundreds of soldiers on Wednesday.

The footage shows soldiers chanting "Oligui president." This occurred shortly after rebel officers announced that they have ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

^{This video grab taken from Gabon 24 on August 30, 2023 shows Gabonese soldiers carrying General Brice Oligui Nguema (C), head of the presidential guard of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba.}

On Wednesday, France government spokesperson Olivier Veran said that his nation strongly denounces the ongoing coup in Gabon.

"France condemns the military coup d'etat that is taking place in Gabon. France is closely monitoring the development of the situation on the ground and reaffirms its wish for the election results, once known, to be respected. So, we are monitoring this closely," he said.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba is under house arrest and one of his sons has been arrested for "treason", said the soldiers.

"President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors," they said in a statement read out on state TV.

"If this is confirmed, it is another military coup which increases instability in the whole region," said Borrell, speaking at a meeting of EU defence ministers in Toledo.

"The whole area, starting with Central African Republic, then Mali, then Burkina Faso, now Niger, maybe Gabon, it's in a very difficult situation and certainly the ministers ... have to have a deep thought on what is going on there and how we can improve our policy in respect with these countries," he said.

"This is a big issue for Europe," he added.

China on Wednesday called for "all sides" in Gabon to guarantee the safety of President Ali Bongo Ondimba after a group of military officers said they were "putting an end to the current regime" in the West African nation.

"China is closely following the developing situation in Gabon," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

"We call on all sides in Gabon to proceed from the basic interests of the country and the people, resolve differences through dialogue, (and) restore normal order as soon as possible," he added, urging parties to "guarantee the personal safety of President Bongo, and uphold national peace and stability".

France is following events in Gabon "with the greatest attention", Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Wednesday.

French mining group Eramet said that it had halted its activities in Gabon.

Eramet said that "for the safety of staff and the security of operations" it had "stopped" work and was following events closely.

The internet, which was out for three days in Gabon, was restored on Wednesday.

Gabonese government blocked internet access and imposed a nightly curfew across the country, on Saturday (August 26) after the polls closed, “in order to prevent any misbehaviour and to preserve the security of the entire population,.”

Here is a translation of the statement, which was read out by one of the officers on Gabon 24 television channel: 

"Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace. 

"Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis.

"We are therefore forced to admit that the organisation of the general elections of 26 August 2023 did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.

"Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.

"Today, 30 August 2023, we -- the defence and security forces, gathered as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions' protection -- have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.

"To this end, the general elections of 26 August 2023 and the truncated results are cancelled. 

"The borders are closed until further notice.

"All the institutions of the Republic are dissolved: the government, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the Gabonese Elections Centre.

"We call for calm and serenity from the public, the communities of sister countries settled in Gabon, and the Gabonese diaspora. 

"We reaffirm our commitment to respecting Gabon's commitments to the national and international community.

"People of Gabon, we are finally on the road to happiness. 

"May God and the spirits of our ancestors bless Gabon. Honour and loyalty to our homeland.

"Thank you."

Gabonese soldiers announced on Wednesday that the country's borders were closed until further notice.

"The borders are closed until further notice," said one of the soldiers, speaking on behalf of a "Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions".

Gabonese military officers announced on Wednesday (30 August) that they were "putting an end to the current regime" after President Ali Bongo Ondimba won his third term.