African Union Condemns Coup in Gabon

The forces that staged a coup in Gabon must restore democratic constitutional order and ensure the inviolability of the country's president and his family, said Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission, on Wednesday.

“He is closely monitoring the situation in Gabon and strongly condemns the coup attempt in the country,” the African Union's statement, published on its official website, reads.

“He calls on the national army and security forces to guarantee the physical inviolability of the President of the Republic, his family members, and the government,” the statement adds.

The chairman also urged all parties “to prioritize peaceful political means of resolution and swiftly return to democratic constitutional order in the country.”

Earlier reports indicated that a group of military personnel in Gabon announced on public television the dismissal of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power for 14 years and was re-elected for a third term just last week. He received 64.27% of the votes according to the presidential election results.

However, the coup organizers have invalidated the election results, dissolved all power institutions, and closed the country’s borders until further notice.