Military Officers Seize State Radio in Gabon’s Coup

Gabon, famous for its richness in minerals and oil is facing tough times as the country’s soldier attempted a coup d’état and took over the state’s radio station on Monday morning.

This comes at a time when the Gabon president, Ali Bongo Ondiba continues to receive treatment in Morocco after a stroke he suffered while in a conference in Saudi Arabia.

President Ali Bongo and his family have on countless occasions been accused of corruption and fraud. The Gabon President has been accused of enriching himself with proceeds from the country’s rich oil and mineral wealth while much of its population wallows in poverty.

President Ali Bongo had sought to reassure Gabon that he was fit during a New Year’s Eve speech televised from Morocco where said:

“It is true that I have been through a difficult period, as sometimes happens in life. Today, as you can see, I am better and I am preparing to meet you again soon.”

The speech, however, according to Lt. Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon, through the state radio “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office”.

Gabon’s news media reported that shots had been heard in Libreville, the capital, in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Mr. Bongo and his administration are yet to comment on the developments in Gabon.