African Union Suspends Gabon with Immediate Effect in Response to Coup Attempt
The suspension of Gabon, whose president Ali Bongo Ondimba was overthrown by troops on Wednesday, was announced by the African Union on Thursday.
In a press release posted on X, the continental group "strongly opposes the military's assumption of power in the Republic of Gabon" (formerly Twitter).
According to a press release from the organization, the Peace and Security Council "decides to immediately suspend Gabon's participation in all operations of the AU, its organs, and institutions."
Bankole Adeoye, the Nigerian who serves as the African Union's commissioner for political affairs, and Willy Nyamitwe, the Burundian who now holds the rotating presidency of the council, presided over the meeting.
On Wednesday, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the head of the African Union Commission, "strongly" denounced what he called "the attempted coup" in Gabon, an oil-rich nation in central Africa that had been ruled by the Bongo family for more than 55 years.
As soon as it was confirmed that Ali Bongo Ondimba had won the presidential election held on Saturday, putschist soldiers said on Wednesday that they had "put an end to the regime in place" in Gabon and had placed the 14-year-old leader under home arrest.
Ali Bongo Ondimba's physical integrity was also urged to be "guaranteed" by the Gabonese army and security forces by Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The African Union's decision to suspend Gabon with immediate effect in response to the military takeover and coup attempt is a significant diplomatic and political action. Here's an elaboration on the key points and implications of this decision:
Strong Condemnation: The African Union (AU) made it clear that it strongly condemned the military takeover of power in Gabon. Such a condemnation reflects the AU's commitment to democratic governance and its rejection of unconstitutional changes in leadership.
Immediate Suspension: The suspension of Gabon from participating in all AU activities, organs, and institutions is a punitive measure. It signifies the AU's disapproval of the coup and aims to exert pressure on those responsible for the coup to restore constitutional order.
Peace and Security Council: The decision was made by the AU's Peace and Security Council, a body responsible for addressing conflicts, crises, and peacekeeping operations across the continent. This demonstrates the AU's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Africa.
African Union Commission: The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, played a prominent role in condemning the coup. His leadership and the AU Commission's stance indicate a unified response from the AU leadership against the coup.
Historical Context: Gabon has been ruled by the Bongo family for over five decades. The coup attempt disrupted the political stability of the country and raised concerns about the preservation of democracy in the region. The AU's response sends a message that such actions will not be tolerated in Africa.
Protection of President's Integrity: The AU's call on the Gabonese army and security forces to guarantee the physical integrity of President Ali Bongo Ondimba highlights its concern for the safety and well-being of the country's leadership. This request aims to prevent further violence and instability.
International Norms: The AU's actions align with international norms and principles that discourage military takeovers and encourage peaceful transitions of power through democratic means.
Overall, the AU's suspension of Gabon is a strong statement against the coup attempt and underscores the organization's commitment to upholding democratic values and the rule of law in its member states. It also serves as a diplomatic tool to pressure the coup leaders to return to constitutional order and ensure peace and stability in Gabon.
The opposition in Gabon requests that the military finish counting the votes.
The biggest opposition group in Gabon seems to have reason for optimism in the wake of the country's coup.
It sincerely thanked the army for standing up to "an electoral coup" and then urged the army to finish tabulating the votes from the general elections held last weekend.
It asserts that the outcomes will demonstrate opposition leader Ondo Ossa's electoral win.
Just hours after President Ali Bongo, who has since been removed, was declared the winner of the presidential election, the army seized control of Gabon on the grounds that the results were falsified.
Due to them, Ossa received 30.77% of the vote, compared to Bongo's 64.27%.
The military "annulled" the elections after seizing power and disbanding all institutions. It did not indicate how long this time would extend when it announced on Thursday that General Brice Oligui Nguema would be sworn in as the "President of the Transition."
The army has also been invited to debate the situation in "a patriotic and responsible context" by Ossa's Alternance 2023 platform.
It expresses the belief that by working together, they will identify the best course of action for the nation and enable it to grow stronger.