2019 Gabonese coup attempt explained

Conflict:2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt
Partof:the aftermath of the 2016 Gabonese presidential election
Date:7 January 2019
Place:Libreville, Gabon
Coordinates:0.3924°N 9.4536°W
Map Type:Gabon
Map Relief:yes
Map Size:200px
Map Mark:Green pog.svg
Map Marksize:10
Map Label:Libreville
Result:Coup failed
Commander1:President Ali Bongo Ondimba
Commander2:Lt. Kelly Ondo Obiang
Strength1:Armed Forces of Gabon
Strength2:Armed Forces of Gabon faction
Casualties2:2 killed[2]
8 arrested (3 eventually convicted)

On 7 January 2019, members of the Armed Forces of Gabon announced a coup d'état in Gabon. Military officers claimed that they had ousted President Ali Bongo, who was re-elected in 2016 after a controversial election and protests.[3] During the absence of Ali Bongo, who was receiving medical treatment in Morocco, armed rebels in the capital city Libreville took hostages and declared that they had established a "National Restoration Council" to "restore democracy in Gabon". Widespread internet outages occurred throughout the country, though it is unknown whether the Internet was shut down by the rebels themselves or by civilians. Gabon's government later declared that it had reasserted control.

Developments

The military spokesman and leader of Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon, Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, stated on national radio and state television on early Monday morning that he and his supporters were disappointed by President Ali Bongo’s message to the nation on New Year's Eve, calling it a "relentless attempt to cling onto power"[3] and saying it "reinforced doubts about the president's ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office".[4] Obiang also claimed they were setting up a "National Restoration Council...[for] restoring democracy" in Gabon.[5] [6] A nationwide internet disruption was detected by global internet observatory NetBlocks starting at approximately 7:00 am UTC.[7] [8] Among other things, Obiang delivered the following message on national radio:[9]

At the time of the coup, on 7 January, President Bongo was receiving unrelated medical treatment in Morocco; he had been out of the country for about two months. President Bongo had suffered a stroke while in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October; his recorded New Year's wishes were the first time he had spoken in public since then.[10] [3]

The pro-coup forces seized control of the national broadcaster Radio Télévision Gabonaise. Gabon's Republican Guard deployed various armoured vehicles throughout the capital, including Nexter Aravis MRAPs, a type not previously known to have been in the Gabonese military's inventory. The coup attempt was put down by 10:30 am after the Gabon's Gendarmerie Intervention Group assaulted the Radio Télévision Gabonaise in which the pro-coup forces were holed up. Two pro-coup soldiers were killed in the assault.[11] Officers involved in the coup took hostages which have since been released by Gabonese officials.[2] Hours after the coup announcement, government officials stated that the situation was "under control" with rebels arrested or on the run; two of the rebels were shot dead and Lieutenant Obiang was reported under arrest.[3] NetBlocks observed that internet connectivity was briefly (though partially) restored across Gabon by 10:00 am UTC before falling back offline, and only returning fully 11:00 am the next day. Security Minister Guy-Bertrand Mapangou stated that the eight arrested people were handed over to the public prosecutor. The government of Gabon announced that President Bongo would be returning to the country "very soon".[2]

International reactions

Aftermath

On 1 July 2021, mutineers Kelly Ondo Obiang, Estimé Bidima Manongo and Dimitri Nze Minko were sentenced to fifteen years in prison by the Special Military Court.[18]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Gabon's Bongo names new prime minister after thwarted coup attempt . 13 January 2019 . Reuters . 12 January 2019 . en.
  2. News: Gabon's Ruling Party Says President to Return 'Very Soon'. Associated Press. 9 January 2019. The New York Times. 9 January 2019. 0362-4331.
  3. News: Gabon officers 'oust President Ali Bongo'. BBC . 7 January 2019. BBC News . 7 January 2019 .
  4. News: Herbert . Tom . Gabon coup d'etat explained: Why is President Ali Bongo facing military opposition? . 7 January 2019 . London Evening Standard. 7 January 2019.
  5. Web site: BREAKING NEWS – Military coup underway in Gabon . BNO News . 7 January 2019. 7 January 2019 .
  6. News: Gabon soldiers seize state radio in apparent coup attempt . Reuters . 7 January 2019. Reuters . 7 January 2019 .
  7. Web site: Evidence of internet shutdown in Gabon amid apparent coup attempt. 7 January 2019. NetBlocks. 7 January 2019.
  8. News: Africa Live: Latest updates on Gabon coup attempt. BBC News. 7 January 2019.
  9. News: Gabon detains soldiers after failed coup . . 7 January 2019. 7 January 2019 . MacLean . Ruth .
  10. News: Larcher . Laurent . Après le coup d'État au Gabon, un retour à l'anormal . 8 January 2019 . La Croix . 7 January 2019 . fr.
  11. Web site: Gabon's Republican Guard uses Aravis vehicles in counter-coup operation . 11 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190109213831/https://www.janes.com/article/85614/gabon-s-republican-guard-uses-aravis-vehicles-in-counter-coup-operation . 9 January 2019.
  12. Web site: Unión Africana condena el fallido golpe de estado en Gabón – TRT Español. Trt.net.tr. 8 January 2019.
  13. Web site: Egypt slams coup attempt in Gabon. EgyptToday. 7 January 2019 . 2019-01-13.
  14. Web site: Gabón: el Gobierno asegura que controló el intento de levantamiento militar. 7 January 2019. France 24. 8 January 2019.
  15. Web site: South Africa, Chad condemn coup attempt in Gabon. Yeni. Şafak. Yeni Şafak. 8 January 2019.
  16. Web site: Turquía condena la intentona de golpe de estado en Gabón TRT Español. Trt.net.tr. es-ES. 8 January 2019.
  17. Web site: Coup: Buhari reacts to failed military takeover in Gabon. John Owen. Nwachukwu. 8 January 2019. Dailypost.ng. 8 January 2019.
  18. Web site: Dougueli . Georges . Gabon : les auteurs du vrai-faux coup d'État échappent à la perpétuité . Jeune Afrique . french . 31 August 2023 . 2 July 2021.