Gunfire and tanks in the capital, the military in the state of radio

In the African country of Gabon is a coup attempt in progress: On Monday morning, around 4.30 a.m. military units in the capital, Libreville, have taken over the state radio and the establishment of a "national Council for renewal," promulgated. President Ali Bongo has a stroke and is currently under medical treatment in Morocco.

The President had tried a week ago at a new year's speech, doubt as to his state of health to eliminate. This speech triggered "reinforced doubts about the ability of the President, the duties of his office to exercise," said the self-proclaimed ringleader of the coup on the Radio. Kelly Ondo Obiang introduced himself as "President of the Patriotic youth movement of the Gabonese defence and security forces". President Bongo was "sick and many of his physical and mental abilities deprived of" Ondo Obiang. He condemned the "sad spectacle" in a country, "its Would have lost".

the same Time were listening to the radio building shots as a Reporter for the AFP news Agency reported. A government source Reuters confirmed the shots. Tanks blocked the access to the street on which the building is located.

President Bongo has not commented yet on the events. A spokesman has announced that he wants to make a statement. In his speech for the new year, Bongo acknowledged health problems but said that he is recovering well. He had trouble, some of the words to pronounce, and not moving his right Arm, according to the news Agency Reuters summed up. Otherwise, he seemed to be in good shape.

Almost a half-century in Power

The family Bongo sits in Gabon for nearly half a century in Power. President Ali Bongo has taken over the office from his father Omar in 2009, died.

in October, the visitors had elected a new Parliament. The ballot was largely peaceful, but were also allegations of fraud, according to the. In 2016, it was after the narrow election victory Bongos came to violent protests, with several dead.

Falling Oil prices had led in recent years to an economic crisis in Gabon. In spite of the large Oil reserves, a large part of the population lives in poverty.

US soldiers

just a few days ago, the US had around 80 soldiers to Libreville sends. This is to protect the U.S. citizens and diplomatic facilities in the neighbouring Congo. In a Letter from President Donald Trump by Friday, it was time to reason for possible violent demonstrations in the Congo after the elections last Sunday.

The soldiers are equipped with combat equipment and would be supported by military aircraft. They could be used in Gabon, the Congo or the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

(mac/sda/afp)

Created: 07.01.2019, 09:25 PM