France on Wednesday reacted to the military coup in Gabon, which saw democratically elected President, Ali Bongo removed from power.
Arewatalent had earlier reported that Bongo was removed from office by military officers days after he was elected for a third term in office.
The decision to seize power was announced by the military officers on Gabonese national television, Gabon 24 television channel.
Giving reason for their action, the coup leaders said serious institutional, political, economic and social crises were factors responsible for the coup that they tagged, ‘necessary’ for the progress of the West African country.
The coup leaders dissolved all the institutions of the republic, the government, the Senate, the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court.
Also, the country’s borders were declared closed until further notice.
The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, while reacting to the coup on Wednesday, said France is following the events in Gabon with the greatest attention.
Borne’s comment was the first reaction from France, the former colonial power in Gabon whose influence in Africa is seen as being undermined by a series of recent coups that have toppled friendly governments.
