Coup: Gabon Junta Announces ‘Immediate’ Reopening of Borders, Gives Reason

• Three days after the military took over power from President Ali Bongo, Gabon has reopened its borders
• The army spokesman in the Central African country confirmed the development on Saturday, September 2nd, on national TV
• Meanwhile, Bongo was elected in 2009, taking over from his late father, Omar, who came to power in 1967 but was removed by the military officers on Wednesday, August 30

The military government in Gabon reopened the country’s border, on Saturday, September 2nd, an army spokesman confirmed the development, Reuters reported.

This is coming three days after closing Gabon’s borders during a military coup in which President Ali Bongo was ousted.

Recall that a group of 12 Gabonese soldiers had announced on Wednesday, August 30, that the country’s borders were closed until further notice, in a statement broadcast on the Gabon 24 television channel.

The military officers led by General Brice Oligui Nguema seized power on Wednesday, August 30, placed Bongo under house arrest and installed Nguema as head of state, ending the Bongo family’s 56-year hold on power.

The land, sea and air borders were opened because the junta was “concerned with preserving respect for the rule of law, good relations with our neighbors and all states of the world” and wanted to keep its “international commitments”, the army spokesman said on national television.

Gabon, Niger coups: FG speaks on plan to reshuffle Nigeria’s military

Mohammed Idris, the minister of Information and National Orientation, has said the federal government is not thinking about reshuffling the country’s military.

The federal government’s stance was made known in a report by The Punch on Saturday, September 2.

When asked if there would be any shakeup in Nigeria, Idris said the government did not have such plans, adding that Nigeria’s democracy remained stable and peaceful.

Gabon junta appoints transitional president

Legit.ng reported earlier that General Brice Oligui Nguema has been appointed as the new head of state of Gabon after overthrowing President Ali Bongo.

Soldiers in Gabon on Wednesday, August 30, appointed the head of the republican guard as the OPEC member state’s new leader, hours after placing deposed President Bongo under house arrest and annulling elections in which he secured a third term.

General Nguema will serve as transitional president, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a statement read out on state television in the capital, Libreville, on Wednesday, August 30.

Source: Legit.ng