The African Union has suspended Gabon’s participation in all of its activities following Wednesday’s military takeover, which it strongly condemned.
The body said on X, formerly Twitter, that it “strongly condemns the military takeover of power in the Republic of Gabon, which ousted President Ali Bongo on 30 August 2023”.
It “decides to immediately suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of the AU, its organs and institutions until the restoration of constitutional order in the country”.
The announcement came after a meeting of the council on the situation in Gabon after Wednesday’s coup, which followed disputed elections in which Bongo was declared the winner.
It said the meeting was chaired by the African Union’s commissioner for political affairs, Bankole Adeoye of Nigeria, and the current holder of the council’s rotating chair, Burundi’s Willy Nyamitwe.
On Wednesday, the head of the African Union commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called on the Gabonese army and security forces “to guarantee the physical integrity” of Bongo, who the coup leaders said had been placed under house arrest.
The development comes hours after the coup plotters (military) announced Gen Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s transitional leader.
Gen Nguema was earlier carried triumphally through the streets of the capital Libreville by his troops.
The deposed President, Ali Bongo, has appeared in a video at his home, calling on his “friends all over the world” to “make noise” on his behalf..
