The military coup in Gabon

President Ali Bongo and the coup plotters in Gabon. AP 

The military coup in Gabon 

The coup plotters: The president has "retired"  

A group of soldiers in Gabon has appointed General Brice Oligui Nguema as "transitional president" and deposed the incumbent president Ali Bongo, according to the AP.  

The general behind the suspected coup d'état, who is also Ali Bongo's cousin, tells French Le Monde that the long-time president "has retired". 

- We have decided to defend the peace by ending the current regime, say the coup plotters on national television.  

The military coup was launched overnight on Wednesday after Bongo announced his desire to serve a third term as the country's president, having already ruled the country since 2009. He took over from his father Omar Bongo, who had ruled the country for more than four decades . 

According to the coup plotters, Ali Bongo has been placed under house arrest.

 

Gabon maps  

File photo of Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Mary Altaffer / AP  

Gabon's president arrested and placed under house arrest 

Gabon's president Ali Bongo Ondimba has been arrested and is now under house arrest, says the leader of the military coup in a televised speech, reports AFP. The last time the president was seen in public was last Saturday when he voted in the country's election. 

- President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors, says the leader of the military coup. 

The statement about the house arrest comes after a military coup on the night of Wednesday began in connection with Bongo's announcement that he would serve a third term as the country's president.  

Ali Bongo has ruled the country since 2009 when he took over power from his father Omar Bongo, who had then ruled the country for over four decades. 

Military announces takeover on Gabon's state television. AFP 

France: We are following the situation closely  

France is following developments in Gabon with "the greatest possible attention", says Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne according to AFP. The comment is the first from the former colonial power in Gabon since the military announced on Wednesday morning that they had seized power in the country. 

France's influence in the region is considered to have decreased in recent years after several coup d'états in which pro-French governments were overthrown.  

China has also commented on the situation in Gabon. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin calls on all parties involved to guarantee President Ali Bongo Ondimba's safety and to maintain peace and stability, writes AF