Coup: African Union suspends Gabon
Home » News » Coup d'état: the African Union suspends Gabon
PolicySeptember 1, 2023
The African Union (AU) has suspended Gabon's membership following the coup in the central African country.
The AU Peace and Security Council said Thursday night that it strongly condemns the military takeover in Gabon, which has ousted President Ali Bongo.
He suspended Gabon's participation in all activities of the AU and its institutions "with immediate effect until constitutional order is restored in the country".
The AU suspended Niger Republic's membership just weeks ago after the military took over in late July.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Sudan have also been suspended since coups in those countries.
In Brussels, senior European diplomat Josep Borrell said that the European Union “rejects any seizure of power by force in Gabon”.
“The challenges facing Gabon must be resolved in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, constitutional order and democracy,” Borrell wrote in a statement Thursday.
"The country's peace and prosperity, as well as regional stability, depend on it," the statement added.
He called for an “inclusive and substantial dialogue” rather than force to respect the rule of law, human rights and the will of the Gabonese people.
The army seized power in Gabon early Wednesday.
Officers announced on state television that state institutions had been dissolved.
Related NewsThey added that the results of the recent elections had been canceled because they were fraudulent and the country's borders were closed.
Shortly earlier, electoral authorities declared Bongo, in power since 2009, the winner of the August 26 elections.
Military leaders on Wednesday evening named the head of the Presidential Guard, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, as the country's interim leader.
Home » News » Coup d'état: the African Union suspends Gabon
PolicySeptember 1, 2023
The African Union (AU) has suspended Gabon's membership following the coup in the central African country.
The AU Peace and Security Council said Thursday night that it strongly condemns the military takeover in Gabon, which has ousted President Ali Bongo.
He suspended Gabon's participation in all activities of the AU and its institutions "with immediate effect until constitutional order is restored in the country".
The AU suspended Niger Republic's membership just weeks ago after the military took over in late July.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Sudan have also been suspended since coups in those countries.
In Brussels, senior European diplomat Josep Borrell said that the European Union “rejects any seizure of power by force in Gabon”.
“The challenges facing Gabon must be resolved in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, constitutional order and democracy,” Borrell wrote in a statement Thursday.
"The country's peace and prosperity, as well as regional stability, depend on it," the statement added.
He called for an “inclusive and substantial dialogue” rather than force to respect the rule of law, human rights and the will of the Gabonese people.
The army seized power in Gabon early Wednesday.
Officers announced on state television that state institutions had been dissolved.
Related NewsThey added that the results of the recent elections had been canceled because they were fraudulent and the country's borders were closed.
Shortly earlier, electoral authorities declared Bongo, in power since 2009, the winner of the August 26 elections.
Military leaders on Wednesday evening named the head of the Presidential Guard, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, as the country's interim leader.
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