Breaking News:
Military officers in Gabonhave staged a coup attempt, seizing the state radio station and declaring their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo, who is recovering from a stroke in Morocco.
A New Year’s Eve address by Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office”, said Lieut Kelly Ondo Obiang, who described himself as an officer in the Republican Guard and leader of the Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.
In a video circulating on social media, Ondo Obiang is seen in a radio studio wearing military fatigues and a green beret as he reads the statement, which was broadcast at about 4.30am local time (0530 GMT). Two other soldiers with assault rifles stand behind him.
Ondo Obiang said the coup was being carried out “to restore democracy” and to oust “those who, in a
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