The putschist soldiers who put an end to the regime in place in Gabon on Wednesday, deposing outgoing President Ali Bongo Ondimba and provoking demonstrations of jubilation in the country, placed at their head the head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema.
L’Express takes stock of the latest information on the crisis in Gabon.
An election marred by “irregularities”, according to the EU
The head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell insisted on Thursday on the difference between the coups in Niger and in Gabon, stressing that the latter, which overthrew President Ali Bongo, followed elections marred by irregularities.
“Naturally, military coups are not the solution but we must not forget that in Gabon there were elections full of irregularities,” he said from Toledo, Spain, on the sidelines. of a meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the 27.
Washington says it is very concerned, urges the army to “preserve civilian rule”
The United States on Wednesday urged Gabon’s military to preserve civilian rule while expressing concern over the removal of incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba following a contested ballot. “We urge officials to release government members and their families, ensure their safety, and preserve civilian rule,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
London condemns the “unconstitutional” military coup in Gabon
The UK on Wednesday condemned the “unconstitutional” military coup in Gabon, while acknowledging concerns over recent elections. “The United Kingdom condemns the unconstitutional military takeover in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government. We recognize the concerns raised by the recent electoral process, including restrictions on media freedom,” said the UK Foreign Office in a statement.
Berlin condemns the putsch despite “legitimate criticism of the transparency of the elections”
Berlin on Wednesday condemned the putsch in Gabon while saying that “there are legitimate criticisms of the transparency and legality of the recent elections”. In an email sent to AFP, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said that “even if there are legitimate criticisms about the transparency and legality of the recent elections, it is not for the military to intervene. by force in the political process. Gabonese men and women must be able to decide freely and autonomously on their future”.
Putschist soldiers maintain curfew until further notice
The putschist soldiers in Gabon announced on Wednesday that they were maintaining “until further notice” the curfew established four days ago by the power of deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba, “to preserve calm”, in a televised press release .
“As of tomorrow (Thursday), Gabonese will once again be able to go about their business freely between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The traffic restriction remains in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice,” a senior officer said. The curfew, previously from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., is therefore extended by one hour.
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Putschists restore suspended French media broadcasting
The putschists who overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power for 14 years, announced on Wednesday the restoration of the broadcasting of international French-speaking media which had been suspended on Saturday evening, the day of the presidential election, the soldiers announced in a press release read at national television.
This “provisional broadcast ban” was aimed exclusively at French-speaking media: France 24, RFI and TV5 Monde, which were “accused of a lack of objectivity and balance”. General Oligui Nguema “orders the reconnection of the optical fiber and the restoration of international television radio channels”, announced a senior officer.