African Union Condemns Coup Attempt In Gabon

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reaffirmed the “AU’s total rejection of all unconstitutional change of power.” Mahamat’s statement was delivered on a twitter a few hours after the attempted coup became known through mainstream media. Gabonese juniour soldiers had captured a state radio early on Monday and anounced that a “national restoration council” has been formed. The developments are unfolding with ailing President Ali Bongo still hospitalised in Morocco, even though he managed to deliver a New Year’s Eve televised message. Later on, shots were fired around the state television premises and the capital around 06:30am. Media reports say military vehicles immediately raised a blocked to avaoid access to the site. The Gabonese government has just announced that the ‘situation under control’, and that the “rebels” have also been arrested. The coup attempt has happened two days after US President, Donald Trump, deployed 80 heavily armed troops in the country saying he was preparing for evacuation of American citizens could there be violence in DR Congo due to the ongoing disputes over the just concluded election. AFP]]>