A bunch of military officers within the central African nation of Gabon say they’ve overthrown the federal government of President Ali Bongo.
The officers introduced the coup early Wednesday morning on nationwide tv channel Gabon 24, hours after the nation’s election fee had introduced that President Bongo had received a 3rd time period in final week’s basic elections.
The group mentioned that the election outcomes have been invalidated, all state establishments dissolved and all borders closed till additional discover.
“We now have determined to defend the peace by placing an finish to the present regime,” one of many officers mentioned.
Bongo first took workplace in 2009, after the demise of his father, Omar Bongo who had change into president in 1967.
Gunfire was heard all through Gabon’s capital, Libreville, after the tv look.
Some data for this report got here from Reuters, Agence France-Presse.