World leaders have called for calm in Gabon after the military on Wednesday declared they have taken over from the current regime.
The military said the President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed on house arrest and also announced the arrest of several government officials.
They also closed Gabon’s borders indefinitely.
China has called for the safety of President Ali Bongo
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the foreign ministry urged all sides in Gabon to proceed from the basic interests of the country and the people and resolve their differences through dialogue.
He also urged them to restore normal order to Gabon as soon as possible.
Also reacting to the current situation, the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne said Paris was following events in Gabon with the greatest attention.
Expressing concern, European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell said the coup would lead to more instability in the whole region.
“The whole area, starting with Central African Republic, then Mali, then Burkina Faso, now Niger, maybe Gabon, it’s in a very difficult situation and certainly the ministers … have to have a deep thought on what is going on there and how we can improve our policy in respect with these countries,” he said.
Jubilation in Gabon
Meanwhile, reports say “the people of Gabon were out on the streets, with many of them celebrating”.
A nationwide internet shutdown imposed by President Ali Bongo’s government three days ago has been restored.
