The African Union Council for Political Affairs, Peace and Security made the announcement after a meeting to assess the situation in that African country and strongly condemned the coup that overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba the day before.
The Ambassador of Burundi, Willy Nyamitwe, the President of the Council, Commissioner Bankole Adeoye and representatives of the Economic Community of Central African States intervened.
The President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, rejected this Wednesday the attempted coup, which represents “a blatant violation of the legal and political instruments of the African Union, including the African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance” as a method of solution current crisis after the election.
Mahamat in a statement called on the National Army and security forces to strictly adhere to their republican calling and ensure the physical integrity of Bongo Ondimba, his family members and his government.
He encouraged all political, civil and military actors in Gabon to give priority to peaceful political means that lead to the rapid restoration of the democratic constitutional order in the country.
The Libreville military announced the annulment of the August 26 presidential election, in which Bongo Ondimba won for the third consecutive time.
In a message broadcast on national television, they called on the population to remain calm and reported that the defense and security forces had gathered in a so-called committee for the transition and restoration of institutions “on behalf of the Gabonese people.” decided to defend peace and put an end to the current regime.
In addition, they announced the cancellation of the parliamentary elections, which had already caused controversy among opposition sectors. “All the institutions of the republic were dissolved: the government, the Senate, the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court,” the putschists emphasized.
According to the statement, the Gabonese president is under house arrest accompanied by his family and doctors.
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