GABON’S former president Ali Bongo Ondimba has made a heartfelt plea to the international community for his release, following his placement ‘under house arrest’ by military forces in the wake of a coup. A video of the 64-year-old leader calmly sitting in a chair has surfaced online, capturing his urgent message to the world.
In the 50-second video, Bongo addresses global friends, urgently requesting their support as he faces his current situation. ‘I am Ali Bongo Ondimba, president of Gabon, and I am sending a message to all friends we have all over the world – to make noise because the people here have arrested me,’ he appeals, though the source of the video remains unverified.
The deposed president reveals further details, expressing concern for his family’s safety. ‘My family, my son is somewhere and my wife is in another place. Right now I’m in the residence, and nothing is happening. I don’t know what is going on. So I am calling you to make noise. Thank you,’ Bongo states in the video.
The upheaval unfolded as a group of military officers orchestrated a coup in Gabon. They cited their disapproval of ‘irresponsible, unpredictable governance’ that had led to the deterioration of social harmony, posing a risk of chaos in the country. The military junta, identifying as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), conveyed that Bongo was being held ‘under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors.’
The coup was a direct response to the official election results that proclaimed Bongo’s victory in a third term as president. The military’s reaction to the results led to their cancellation, and the dissolution of the nation’s institutions. Reports of gunfire also surfaced in the capital city of Libreville, marking the turbulence of the situation.
Gabon now joins the ranks of African nations grappling with military interventions, following Niger’s recent experience with a military takeover. As President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s appeal echoes globally, the international community watches closely to discern the outcome of this political upheaval and its implications for Gabon’s future.