The announcement comes hours after military officers announced on national television that the armed forces had taken control and placed President Bongo under house arrest.
Detained Gabonese President Ali Bongo, speaking from apparent house arrest on Wednesday, asked the international community to"make noise" to support him and his family in a video shared widely online after military officers declared they had seized power.
The video was confirmed as authentic by BTP Advisors, a PR firm that has worked closely with Bongo on his election campaign. "The people here have arrested me and my family. My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place ... Right now, I’m at the residence and nothing is happening. I don’t know what’s going on," Bongo said in English, addressing the camera from a chair in what looked like a richly furnished state room.He was smartly dressed and showed no outward signs of mistreatment. He spoke calmly, pausing occasionally as if searching for the right words to convey the urgency of his message.
Military officers announced on national television earlier that the armed forces had taken control and placed Bongo under house arrest.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gabon President Ali Bongo wins third term after disputed electionPresident Ali Bongo has won a third term in the presidential election with 64.27% of the vote, the Gabonese Election Centre (CGE) said on Wednesday, after a delay-plagued general election that the opposition has denounced as fraudulent.
Read more »
Gabon military coup explained as President Ali Bongo overthrownArmy officers took to national TV in the west African state on Wednesday morning to say they had assumed control, in the latest military takeover in the region.
Read more »
Military 'seizes power' in Gabon, ends Bongo family's 55-year reignMilitary officers say the African country's borders have been closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved.
Read more »
Military Officers Claim They Have Ousted Gabon’s PresidentThe rebellion comes amid multiple coups and rising anti-French sentiment in France’s former colonies on the continent.
Read more »
Mutinous soldiers in Gabon say they’ve ousted president whose family has ruled for 55 yearsMutinous soldiers in Gabon said Wednesday they were seizing power to overturn the results of a presidential election, and claimed to have arrested the president, whose family has held power for 55 years.
Read more »
Gabon's president calls on citizens to 'make noise' after coup attemptBut crowds instead took to the streets of the capital Libreville and sang the national anthem to celebrate the coup attempt.
Read more »