This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Gabon coup on Wednesday, August 30.
- A dozen mutinous soldiers appeared on Gabonese national television, announcing the cancellation of recent election results and the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic”.
- Wednesday’s announcement came after President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, was re-elected for a third term, in an election the opposition described as a ‘fraud orchestrated’ by the ruling party.
- The Bongo family, one of Africa’s most powerful dynasties, has been in power since 1967.
- The president has confirmed he is under house arrest and called for help, urging citizens to ‘make noise’.
- There have been scenes of celebration in the Gabonese capital, Libreville since the military takeover.