https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230830/what-we-know-about-situation-in-gabon-its-president-placed-under-house-arrest-1061736589.html
What We Know About Situation in Gabon
What We Know About Situation in Gabon
Sputnik Africa
Gabon was a French Equatorial Africa colony until it became independent in 1960. From 1967 to 2009, it was led by the President Omar Bongo, and since 2009, his... 30.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-30T15:35+0200
2023-08-30T15:35+0200
2023-08-31T09:51+0200
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Shortly after the publication of the results of the August 26 presidential election in Gabon, army officers appeared on national television to announce the seizure of power. Sputnik provides a brief overview of the current situation in this oil-rich African country.For 56 years, the Bongo family has ruled in Gabon, one of the leading oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa. A re-election that ignited the nationIn power for 14 years, Ali Bongo Ondimba has just been announced winner of the 2023 presidential elections with 64.27% of the votes cast. The announcement of the results was preceded by three days of silence and a shutdown of the Internet, according to the government, to avoid "the spread of calls for violence and false information".Ali Bongo's main opponent, Albert Ondo Osso, had obtained 30.77%. He called the elections fraudulent and claimed victory.Military takeoverShortly after the publication of the results, a group of a dozen Gabonese military announced in a press release read on the Gabon 24 television channel the cancellation of the elections' results and the dissolution of "all the institutions of the Republic".Faced with "an irresponsible, unpredictable governance which results in a continuous deterioration of social cohesion risking to lead the country to chaos", the elections' results are canceled, underlined the rebels.Bongo FamilyGabon was a colony of French Equatorial Africa until its independence in 1960. From 1967 to 2009, it was led by the same President, Omar Bongo, and from 2009 by his son. Both had close ties to Paris. Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64 years old, who is running for a third term, was narrowly re-elected in 2016 with just 5,500 votes more than his rival Jean Ping who claimed the election was rigged.Omar Bongo, respected for his mediation in several African crises, was seen as a pillar of "Francafrique", a system of political cooptation, networks and commercial preserves between Paris and its former colonies on the continent. Barely elected, his son Ali ostensibly distanced himself from the former colonial power.Oil wealthGabon is one of the richest countries in Africa in terms of GDP per capita ($8,820 in 2022) thanks to its oil, timber and manganese in particular, and a small population (2.3 million inhabitants).The oil sector accounted for 80% of exports, 45% of GDP and 60% of tax revenue over the past five years, according to World Bank data.However, a third of the population lives in poverty and one in three young people is unemployed.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230830/gabonese-people-were-not-surprised-by-military-takeover-politician-tells-sputnik-1061733512.html
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What We Know About Situation in Gabon
15:35 30.08.2023 (Updated: 09:51 31.08.2023) Samantha Arias
Producer / Podcast host
Gabon was a French Equatorial Africa colony until it became independent in 1960. From 1967 to 2009, it was led by the President Omar Bongo, and since 2009, his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been the president. On Wednesday, Ali Bongo Ondimba, was reelected as the country's head for the next term after securing 64.2% of votes.
Shortly after the publication of the results of the August 26 presidential election in Gabon, army officers appeared on national television to announce the seizure of power.
Sputnik provides a brief overview of the
current situation in this oil-rich African country.
For 56 years, the Bongo family has ruled in Gabon, one of the leading oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa.
A re-election that ignited the nation
In power for 14 years, Ali Bongo Ondimba has just been announced winner of the 2023 presidential elections with 64.27% of the votes cast. The announcement of the results was preceded by three days of silence and a shutdown of the Internet, according to the government, to avoid "the spread of calls for violence and false information".
Ali Bongo's main opponent, Albert Ondo Osso, had obtained 30.77%. He called
the elections fraudulent and claimed victory.
Shortly after the publication of the results, a group of a dozen Gabonese military announced in a press release read on the Gabon 24 television channel the cancellation of the elections' results and the dissolution of "all the institutions of the Republic".
"We are putting an end to the regime in place," the servicemen said. However, they reaffirmed their "attachment to respecting Gabon's commitments to the national and international community".
Faced with "an irresponsible, unpredictable governance which results in a continuous deterioration of social cohesion risking to lead the country to chaos", the elections' results are canceled, underlined the rebels.
"Gabonese people, it is finally our rise towards happiness. May God and the hands of our ancestors bless Gabon. Honor and fidelity to the Fatherland", soldiers concluded.
Gabon was a colony of French Equatorial Africa until its independence in 1960. From 1967 to 2009, it was led by the same President, Omar Bongo, and from 2009 by his son. Both had close ties to Paris.
Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64 years old, who is running for a third term, was narrowly re-elected in 2016 with just 5,500 votes more than his rival Jean Ping who claimed the election was rigged.
Omar Bongo, respected for his mediation in several African crises, was seen as a pillar of "
Francafrique", a system of political cooptation, networks and commercial preserves between Paris and its former colonies on the continent. Barely elected, his son Ali ostensibly distanced himself from the former colonial power.
Gabon is one of the richest countries in Africa in terms of GDP per capita ($8,820 in 2022) thanks to its oil, timber and manganese in particular, and a small population (2.3 million inhabitants).
The oil sector accounted for 80% of exports, 45% of GDP and 60% of tax revenue over the past five years, according to World Bank data.
However, a third of the population lives in poverty and one in three young people is unemployed.
