COUP: AU suspends Gabon

In response to the recent coup in Gabon, the African Union (AU) has taken the decision to suspend Gabon’s membership.

The AU’s Peace and Security Council issued a strong condemnation of the military’s seizure of power in Gabon, which resulted in the removal of President Ali Bongo.

With immediate effect, the AU has suspended Gabon’s participation in all activities within the organization and its affiliated institutions. This suspension will remain in place until constitutional order is restored in the country.

This action follows a similar suspension of Niger Republic’s membership by the AU after a military coup took place there at the end of July. Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Sudan have also faced suspensions from the AU following coups in those respective countries.

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, voiced the EU’s opposition to any unlawful seizure of power in Gabon.

Borrell emphasized the need for resolving Gabon‘s challenges in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, constitutional order, and democracy. He stressed that Gabon’s peace, prosperity, and regional stability hinge on these principles.

Borrell called for a peaceful and inclusive dialogue as the means to uphold the rule of law, human rights, and the will of the Gabonese people.

The military took control in Gabon on Wednesday, announcing the dissolution of state institutions and the annulment of recent election results, citing alleged fraud.

This move came shortly after electoral authorities had declared Ali Bongo the winner of the August 26th election. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was named as Gabon’s interim leader by the military leaders on Wednesday evening.