Soldiers Go on the Radio and Announce a Coup in Gabon

Military officers in a coup attempt today in Gabon seized the country's national radio station and condemned President Bongo’s administration.

A BBC report says, “Tanks and armoured vehicles are on the streets of the capital Libreville.”

Another report carries it that “shots were also heard around the state television offices in the centre of the city around the same time as military vehicles blocked access to the site.”

President Ali Bongo is currently in Morroco recovering from a ‘stroke’
Government sources have confirmed to Reuters that gunfire occurred around the station.

A New Year’s address by Mr Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office,” Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon, says in footage released from the radio station.

He goes on to say troops had been disappointed by the message, calling it "a pitiful sight" and a "relentless attempt to cling onto power".

President Bongo took power in 2009 and is believed to be in Morocco, receiving treatment after suffering a stroke in October.

Mr Bongo sought to put an end to the rumours about his health with a New Year message in which he said he was feeling fine.

A spokesman for the presidency told Reuters he would make a statement shortly.
In his speech on New Year’s, Bongo acknowledged health problems but said he was recovering. He slurred some of his words and did not move his right arm, but otherwise appeared in decent health.

The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country for nearly half a century. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009. His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.

The attempted overthrow comes as US President Donald Trump announced about 80 US military personnel had deployed to Gabon amid fears of unrest in neighbouring Congo.