Response to Gabon military coup

author: FutureCar Staff    

African leaders are grappling with how to respond to the recent coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo was ousted and replaced by the military. This coup is part of a series of coups that have taken place in West and Central Africa since 2020, posing a challenge for regional powers who have struggled to address this trend.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a political bloc in Central Africa, has condemned the coup and plans to hold a meeting of heads of state to determine their response. However, no date has been given for this meeting.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who currently chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, has stated that he is working closely with other African leaders to contain the spread of autocracy in Africa. He sees the coup in Gabon as part of a larger problem affecting the continent.

The coup in Gabon was announced by senior officers before dawn on Wednesday, following the declaration of Bongo's victory in the recent election. A video later emerged showing Bongo detained in his residence, appealing for international help.

General Brice Oligui Nguema, a former head of the presidential guard, has been chosen as the new head of state in Gabon. This coup adds to the growing list of coups in the region, which have undermined democratic progress and raised concerns among foreign powers.

Despite threats of military intervention and sanctions from regional blocs like ECOWAS, military leaders in countries like Niger and Mali have resisted international pressure and have managed to hold onto power. This highlights the limited leverage of African powers once the military takes control.

The coup in Gabon has been met with mixed reactions, with some people taking to the streets to celebrate while others express concern. President Bongo's popularity had waned due to allegations of corruption, flawed elections, and a failure to address the country's poverty despite its oil and mineral wealth.

The African Union, France, the US, Canada, and Britain have expressed concern about the coup but have not explicitly called for Bongo's reinstatement. The European Union's foreign policy chief has criticized the election in Gabon, citing irregularities, but there are no plans to evacuate EU citizens.

The transparency of the election in Gabon has been called into question due to the lack of international observers, the suspension of foreign broadcasts, and the government's decision to cut internet service and impose a night-time curfew after the poll.

FutureCar Staff