“The US government is pausing parts of the aid program to the government of Gabon while we evaluate the military’s unconstitutional intervention,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken also emphasizes that the US will continue with its diplomatic and consular activities in the oil-rich African nation.
It was at the end of August that the military in Gabon carried out a coup and installed the junta leader and General Oligui Nguema as “transitional president”.
The coup occurred in connection with the country’s now deposed president Ali Bongo – whose family has ruled Gabon for over 50 years – being credited with winning the country’s presidential election after a vote count in which no international observers followed the election process.