the Military in Gabon claim to have taken power in the small, oil-rich african country. According to the BBC the soldiers occupied the national radio, where they read a statement to the nation, while there was shot in the capital.
at the same time, reports in several international media that tanks and other armored vehicles are driven into the capital, Libreville.
the military Coup comes allegedly, after the country's president, Ali Bongo, at a new year's speech on Monday tried to allay those rumors to the ground that he would be greatly weakened by the disease.
24. October was Ali Bongo affected by heart problems during a state visit to Saudi Arabia. He has since received treatment in Morocco, and it had to be from here, nytårstalen have been held.
- the Speech has reinforced the doubts on the president's ability to continue to carry out their duties, says colonel Kelly Ondo Obiang, who is selverklæret the leader of the opposition group The Patriotic Movement for the security Forces in Gabon.
Ali Bongo was re-elected as president in 2016, but there was accusations of electoral fraud. His election victory was narrow. The european UNION has openly questioned the official result.
the Bongo took power after his father, who died in 2009. The father led Gabon for 42 years.
France is the former colonial power in the country, and there are still strong ties between the countries.