Gabon Coup: President Ali Bongo Cries Out For Help From Detention

• The deposed Gabonese President, Ali Bongo, has called on his international friends to "make noise" after the military coup
• Bongo confirmed that he had been arrested by the military and separated from his wife and son after the military took over power
• The 64-year-old disclosed this in a 51-second video, which has gone viral and surfaced on social media
• Leoni Mills, Founder of African Youth Security Network, told YEN.com.gh in an exclusive interview that the coups may not necessarily bring progress

Ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo has cried out for help from detention, begging his friends to "make noise" after he was deposed through a military coup.

64-year-old Bongo, who succeeded his late father, Omar in 2009, stated this in a 51-second viral video that showed him shaking.

The military announced on national television that Bongo is no longer the president of Gabon, on Wednesday, August 30.

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In the video shared by a journalist, Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala @StanysBujakera on Twitter, Bongo said he had been arrested and isolated from his son and wife.

He explained that his son and wife are separated from him in another place.

"My name is Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon. I am sending a message to all friends that we have all over the world, to tell them to make noise, to make noise."

Army takes over power in Gabon after election

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the military has again staged a coup in another African country, Gabon, as army officers appeared on national television and announced the takeover from the democratic government.

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The coup leader annulled the outcome of Saturday's election, where the incumbent President, Ali Bongo, was declared re-elected and winner of the poll.

According to the electoral commission, Bongo won under two-thirds of the total votes cast, but the opposition has argued that the poll was fraudulent.

Too early to think of wave of coups as good for youth

The coup in Gabon follows a similar event in Niger on July 26, 2023, prompting concerns the continent may be experiencing its version of the Arab Spring.

Leoni Mills, Founder of African Youth Security Network, told YEN.com.gh during an exclusive interview that the coups may not necessarily mean the continent is experiencing similar uprisings like the Arab Spring.

"It’s hard to tell this early on if these coups would liberate the youth of the countries where they have occured" she told YEN.com.gh.

She added:

"History has shown us that military coups are not easy to live under either and taking lessons from the Arab spring, much of which led by the youth, years later life hasn’t been any better for them."

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Ali Bongo under house arrest

The army in Gabon has disclosed that the ousted President of the country, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is under house arrest.

In an update on Wednesday, August 30, the military also announced that Ondimba's son has been arrested for alleged treason.

5 facts about Gabon as army takes over

The military has finally taken over power from President Ali Ben Bongo in Gabon after a failed attempt in 2019.

The coup d'etat in Gabon is coming about six weeks after the military junta in the Niger Republic ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from office.

Army lists reasons for sacking Ali Bongo

Gabonese army officers under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) have listed why President Ali Ondimba Bango was ousted from power.

The military announced on national television that the army was now in charge after taking over power from Bongo on Wednesday, August 30.

Source: YEN.com.gh