Noureddin Bongo has been arrested, as citizens of Gabon stormed the streets in jubilation, showing supports for the military take-over.
Noureddin Bongo Valentin is the son of the ousted president of Gabon, Ali Bongo. In 2019, he was appointed the general coordinator of Presidential Affairs, to “assist the President of the Republic in the conduct of all State affairs,” Gabonese government statement said.
Many citizens of Gabon frowned at the appointment. They argued it was a ploy by Noureddin’s father to impose him on them as his successor. They cited references to how former president of Gabon, Omar Bongo, grandfather of Noureddin imposed the latter’s father on the country.
Meanwhile, French mining company, Eramet, which owns the Comilog manganese minit unit in Gabon, said on Wednesday it had halted all operations in the country following overnight events.
“From this morning all Comilog and Setrag operations have been halted and train transport suspended,” a spokesperson to the company said.
How it all started:
It all began after Ali Bongo was declared re-elected as president of Gabon with 64.27% of the vote, according to official results.
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power for 14 years, was said by the electoral authority to have been re-elected for a third term with 64.27% of the vote.
In a single-round ballot, Bongo reportedly beat his main rival Albert Ondo Ossa, who won 30.77% of the vote, says the Gabonese Elections Centre. Voter turnout was 56.65%
However, the Gabon soldiers announce cancellation of elections, dissolution of institutions on TV. Gabon Army announced that it’s taking power into its own hands and canceling the results of the presidential elections.
Another military coup has taken place in another African country. ALSO READ: Police arrest 100 same-sex suspects during same-sex wedding
The military of Gabon said they would end the regime in the country, shooting was heard in the capital Libreville.
Gabon has closed its borders.
The country has been ruled by a father and son since 1967. President Ali Bongo has ruled Gabon since 2009. His father, former President Omar Bongo ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2009.
Gabon’s former President Omar Bongo reportedly had 70 bank accounts, 39 apartments, 2 Ferraris, 6 Mercedes Benz cars, 3 Porsches and a Bugatti in France.
He ruled for 42 years (from 1967 to 2009). ALSO READ: 10 Predictions The Word Is Not Prepared For.
This latest military takeover in Gabon makes it the 8th coup in Africa, since 2020. Gabon is an OPEC member and this threatens supply.
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