Missing British conservation expert in central African nation amidst military coup

author: FutureCar Staff    

A British conservation expert, Lee White, 58, is feared to have been caught up in a coup in Gabon. He had posted photos from the capital of the African nation just hours before the military announced that it had seized power. White was a senior minister in the cabinet of deposed president Ali Bongo and had campaigned for him in the recent elections.

The army took control of the government early yesterday, shortly after Mr. Bongo was declared the winner of the election. The president was placed under house arrest, and the military reported that one of his sons had been arrested for treason. Soldiers also claimed that others in the president's circle had been detained for various offenses, including embezzlement of public funds.

It remains unclear whether the detained individuals include ministers from the president's cabinet. However, a military spokesman stated that the intervention was necessary due to the "unpredictable, irresponsible governance" that posed a risk of leading the country into chaos.

Lee White, a renowned conservationist who was awarded a CBE in 2010, had tweeted on Tuesday that he was in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, waiting for the election results. He mentioned that the government had cut internet access as a precaution following provocative statements made by opposition politicians.

White, who served as the minister of forests, oceans, environment, and climate change in Mr. Bongo's regime, has been working in Gabon for 30 years. He played a significant role in advocating for the creation of 13 national parks in the country, covering 11% of its rainforest, to protect wildlife and forests and combat illegal poaching and logging.

The official election results declared Ali Bongo the winner with 64% of the vote. However, the opposition denounced the outcome as fraudulent, leading to gunfire erupting in the center of Libreville shortly after the announcement. Uniformed officers then appeared on state television, proclaiming that they had taken control of the government.

Gabon, an oil-rich nation and a member of OPEC, faces significant challenges such as poverty, high unemployment, and rising prices despite its resources. Ali Bongo's family has ruled the country since 1967, and he attended King Charles's coronation in May.

As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain whether Lee White has been affected by the coup. The Foreign Office and Stirling University, where White's wife works as a professor, have not provided any updates on his well-being.

FutureCar Staff