Military announce takeover in Gabon days after elections

2023-08-30 06:11:05

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Nearly a dozen soldiers seized Gabon’s state television station and announced the annulment of the presidential election, as well as appealed to the population for calm.

“We reaffirm our commitment to honor Gabon’s commitments to the national and international community,” the group’s spokesperson said.

The Gabonese government had announced a nationwide curfew and cut off internet access on Saturday night, at the end of voting in a general election that was expected to bring out new local leaders, national legislators and the next president. from the country.

The central African country, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, is rich in natural resources.

Every vote in Gabon since the country’s return to a multi-party system in 1990 has ended in violence. The clashes between government forces and protesters following the 2016 elections left four dead, according to official figures. The opposition maintains that the death toll was much higher.

In anticipation of possible post-election violence, many residents of the capital went to visit relatives in other parts of the country or left Gabon. Others collected food or tightened security at their homes.

1693385666
#Military #announce #takeover #Gabon #days #elections