WASHINGTON: The United States has expressed its’ deep concerns over the recent events in the oil-producing West African nation of Gabon, western media reported on Thursday.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby in a press briefing said that U.S. embassy staff had been accounted for after the officials said they had placed the country’s President Ali Bongo under house arrest.
No room for military in politics
Earlier, Germany’s foreign ministry said that it was not the job of the army to interfere by force in the politics. It further said people in the country must be allowed to freely decide about their future.
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has appealed for support following the military ousted him in a coup and also put him under house arrest.
Several military officers had announced on Television they had taken the government in the country. The officials said they had cancelled the results of Saturday’s elections in which Bongo declared the winner, but the opposition leader claimed it was fake. The army officers said that they had also taken into custody one of Bongo’s sons on charges of treason.
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Later, the officers said the chief of the presidential guard, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema will replace Bongo. Bongo’s overthrow would end his family’s 55 years grip on government in the African country.
Gabon is Africa’s one of oil producers with 90% of its territory covered by forests. The country became the member of Commonwealth in June 2022.
