The population of Gabon is "not surprised" by the actions of the military to change the government in the country, Privat Ngomo, the Gabonese leader of the pan-Africanist movement "The New Power" and ex-presidential candidate, told Sputnik.
The Gabonese politician noted that during the recent presidential campaign, there were two main camps with different views.
"During the presidential campaign, there were two camps: there was the camp I was in, which wanted a peaceful political transition to avoid a military transition, and then there was the camp that wanted to go to the polls. In the end, the elections took place, and those of us who wanted a transition supported a consensus candidate so as not to be blocked," the politician said.
Ngomo added that in early hours of Wednesday, the presidential camp "tried to impose" President Ali Bongo Ondimba, as the re-elected candidate, prompting the military to take action against him.
The 64-year-old president has been leading the country since 2009, succeeding his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who governed Gabon for over four decades.
"The presidential camp tried to impose Ali Bongo as the re-elected candidate. Finally, the chief of staff of the Republican Guard staged a coup: they came and stopped the broadcasting of the results and decided to cancel the election results, close the borders and dissolve all the institutions. Now we are waiting for the next communique," Ngomo said.
The transitional government of Gabon may be formed from both military and civilians, but there is no clear understanding yet how the transition will take place, the politician added.
It is expected that the military will hold certain positions, particularly in defense and interior ministries. On the other hand, civilian roles such as the Ministry of Economy and the Prime Minister's Office may be entrusted to non-military individuals.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Gabonese military, following the presidential election in the country, announced the cancellation of the election results and the dissolution of "all the institutions of the republic" and closed the national borders until further notice.
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba was re-elected as the country's head for the next term after securing 64.2% of votes. The president, 64, was first elected the head of state in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had served as the country's ruler for over 40 years.