Coup In Gabon
*As soldiers sack President Ali Omar Bongo.
The Gabonese army announced Wednesday night that it has sacked the country's President, Ali Omar Bongo.
The announcement, made on the country's national television, also has it that the result of Saturday's election in the tiny West African nation has been annulled.
The electoral Commission had declared Bongo as winner of the election, noting that his main rival, Albert Ondo Ossa, came second with 30.77%.
The President's party also denied Ondo Ossa’s electoral irregularities allegations.
Reports monitored on the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, say the soldiers who introduced themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions, CTRI, noted that they acted to defend peace.
“We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the regime in power.”
Bongo's ouster brings to an end Bongo dynasty's more than five decade-long hold on the country's power.
The coup in Gabon, fifth on West Africa's growing list, is coming on the heels of attempt by the region to reverse the one in Niger Republic.
Soldiers in Mali sacked the country's leadership in August 2020, followed by Guinea in September 2022.
The government in Burkina Faso came crashing down in January 2022, followed by the one in Niger Republic which took place in July 2023.
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