Iran Press/ Africa: Mutinous soldiers in Gabon proclaimed the republican guard chief as their country’s leader Wednesday after placing the just-reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, alleging betrayal and massive embezzlement during his long-time rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.
Mutinous soldiers claim to have seized power in Gabon and put the president under house arrest, hours after he was declared the winner in an election that would have extended his family’s 55-year rule in the oil-rich Central African nation.
Gabonese President Ali Bongo, speaking from apparent house arrest on Wednesday, asked the international community to "make noise" to support him and his family in a video shared widely online after military officers declared they had seized power.
The video was confirmed as authentic by BTP Advisors, a PR firm that has worked closely with Bongo on his election campaign.
"The people here have arrested me and my family. My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place ... Right now, I’m at the residence and nothing is happening. I don’t know what’s going on," Bongo said in English, addressing the camera from a chair in what looked like a richly furnished state room.
France, the European Union, the US, China, the African Union and Russia reacted to the situation in Gabon and stated they continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and hope for its speedy stabilisation. 219
