Data on coup d'état in Gabon

"the Military say they have taken the power in Gabon. The reports on the coup comes just days after president Ali Bongos first speech to the nation since he suffered a stroke in the autumn."

"the Message from the military was read out on state radio early on Monday, since the soldiers had taken control of the nationwide radio station, reports BBC News. Business refers inter alia to the Ali Bongos speech to the nation on new year's day."

"– It reinforced the doubts about the president's ability to continue to exercise his office responsibilities, "said lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, leader of the self-styled' Patriot movement in The defence and security forces, according to Reuters."

"the BBC also reports on the tanks and armored vehicles on the streets of the capital Libreville. Shootings have, according to the AFP been consulted outside the state television offices."

"Gabon was shaken in the fall of Ali's disappearance. The 59-year-old president, who ruled the country since 2009, fell ill during a trip to saudi Arabia on October 24 in what later was reported to be a stroke. His spokesperson Ike Ngouoni claimed, then, that the Ali Bongo suffered from severe exhaustion and that doctors prescribed bed-ridden. Then it was a long time dead silent."

"A photograph and two videos without sound was all that was released on the Bongo during the months after the stroke. The lack of information surrounding the president's condition caused many to draw parallels to his father and predecessor, Omar Bongo, who died of cancer in 2009 after a month's silence about his health."

"In a recorded speech to the nation from Morocco, which aired on new year's day let Ali Bongo's health that he is feeling better – but the message has not been received well by the army, who now say they want to restore democracy in Gabon."

"Gabon lies on the equator on Africa's west coast and has over two million inhabitants. The country consists largely of inaccessible jungle and savannah. A small elite in the cities live well on the country's large revenue from oil, iron and timber."

"Maktkoncentrationen to a family and its political party has, in practice, sat multiparty politics in Gabon. The country was ruled by president Omar Bongo 1967-2009. When he died he was succeeded by his son Ali Bongo Ondimba."

"Source: Swedish institute of international affairs (UI)"