In an unofficial address to worldwide acquaintances, the deposed president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, acknowledged the occurrence of a coup in the nation.
After the military announced his removal in the early hours of Wednesday, August 30th, a 51-second video surfaced online showing Bongo in a presidential palace room pleading with his friends around the world to “make noise” against his imprisonment.
He also confirmed that his wife and son had been taken from him and that he was being held in isolation at the presidency.
“My name is Ali Bongo Ondimba, president of Gabon. I am sending a message to all the friends of all the friends that we have all over the world to tell them to make noise, to make noise.
“The people here have arrested me and my family; my son is somewhere, my wife is in another place, and I am at the residence. Nothing is happening. I don’t know what is going on… So I am telling you to make noise, to make noise, to make noise really. Thank you,” his address read.
Reports indicate that the junta has arrested his well-known son, Valentin Bongo Ondimba, on suspicion of embezzlement and, maybe, treason.
Senior Gabonese military officers went on national television and declared their seizure of power, claiming they represent all of Gabon’s security and defense forces and that they do not believe the results of the recently-held general elections.
They declared the election results null and void, all borders closed indefinitely, and all state institutions dissolved. After the televised appearance, a Reuters reporter claimed to have heard gunfire in Libreville.
After a delayed general election that the opposition branded fraudulent, the Gabonese electoral center announced on Wednesday that incumbent President Ali Bongo had won a third term with 64.27 percent of the vote.
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