Gabonese soldiers have seized the national radio station in the capital Libreville, declaring the establishment of the National Restoration Council in a bid to return Gabon to democracy.
Tanks and other military vehicles have been spotted patrolling the streets of Libreville.
President Ali Bongo is currently out of the country, recovering from a stroke in Morocco. The president suddenly fell ill during a forum in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he stayed for a while before being transferred to Morocco. However, it was only in December that it was finally revealed that he’d suffered a stroke.
He issued a brief New Year’s message, one which according to the soldiers partipating in the coup, “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office.”
It is unclear whether the coup attempt is widely supported within the armed forces.
More details to follow…
By Matengo Chwanya
Africa Global News Publication
