Peace Institute

author: FutureCar Staff    

On August 30, a group of Gabonese military officers from the elite presidential guard unit seized power just hours after President Ali Bongo Ondimba was announced as the winner of a third term. The officers declared General Brice Oligui Nguema as chairman of the transition and placed the president under arrest at his palace. This coup adds to the recent trend of military takeovers in Africa, which have raised concerns about regional stability and security.

While the officers are consolidating their control over the country, their intentions for the future remain unclear. There are unspecified plans for a transition circulating, but international condemnations and demands for a return to civilian rule are mounting. If the officers succeed in taking full control, they will end over five decades of dynastic rule by the Bongo family in Gabon.

The coup leaders have established the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) and have cancelled the election results, suspended government institutions, and closed the country's borders. General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of the coup, has been announced as the new leader of the country's transition. Gunfire was heard near the palace, but the country appears calm at the moment, with some citizens expressing support for the coup. The military has imposed a curfew and reinstated foreign media outlets that were previously banned.

Gabon has a history of elections marred by irregularities, and the recent election was no exception. Opposition parties united behind a single candidate who officially won 31 percent of the vote. The government was criticized for modifying electoral rules and limiting the free flow of information. Despite the country's significant natural resources, Gabonese citizens experience widespread poverty and frustration over unfair elections and dynastic rule.

The international response to the coup has been swift, with the African Union (AU) condemning the coup and calling for a peaceful return to constitutional order. China, Russia, the United States, the European Union, and France have also condemned the coup. Regional forums such as the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) may play a role in pressuring for a return to civilian rule, although their effectiveness has been inconsistent in the past.

The coup in Gabon differs from recent coups in the Sahel region in terms of motivations and international relationships. Gabon has enjoyed relative stability and close ties with France, China, and the United States. The coup occurred amidst an electoral cycle marked by accusations of fraud and government restrictions on the internet and independent news broadcasts. Gabon's coup is more similar to the coups in Guinea and Burundi, which followed controversial re-elections and frustrations over authoritarian rule.

The normalization of military takeovers in Africa poses a risk to the future of democratic civilian rule and governance across the continent. Each coup is unique, and a tailored approach is necessary to address and respond to coups effectively. The international community should engage with all parties in Gabon, prioritize support for government institution reform, and help Gabonese society engage in dialogue about the future of their country.

The United States and other international allies have limited leverage to press for a return to civilian government, but they can use diplomacy, incentives, and disincentives to push for a short and transparent transitional period. It is crucial to support the Gabonese in strengthening independent media and creating opportunities for all sectors of society to participate in shaping the future of the country.

FutureCar Staff