Gabon's government has retained control of the West African country after an attempted military coup early Monday, in which two plotters were killed, officials say.

Five army officers who took over state radio in the coup attempt have been arrested, government spokesperson Guy-Betrand Mapangou told Radio France International (RFI).

Authorities have regained control of the state broadcasting offices and a major thoroughfare in the capital, Libreville, which were the only areas taken over by the officers, according to the spokesperson.

Two of the coup participants were killed when security forces took over and freed some hostages, according to a presidential statement reported by RFI.

A still image taken from a video posted on Monday shows military officers giving a statement from a radio station in Libreville, Gabon. Government officials say that soldiers involved in the coup attempt have been arrested. (Handout photo via Reuters)

Earlier Monday, a soldier who identified himself as Lt. Obiang Ondo Kelly, commander of the Republican Guard, read out a statement saying the military had seized control of the government of the West African country in order to "restore democracy."

He was flanked by two other soldiers holding weapons, and all were dressed in camouflage uniforms and green berets.

Those soldiers have been taken into custody and President Ali Bongo's government remains in control, said the government spokesperson.

A curfew has been imposed over the capital, Libreville, and the internet was cut. The city on the Atlantic Ocean coast was being patrolled by military tanks and armed vehicles.

The African Union affirmed its support for the Bongo government.

"The African Union strongly condemns the coup attempt this morning in Gabon," the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said on Twitter.

"I reaffirm the AU's rejection of all anti-constitutional change."

President away, recovering from a stroke

Bongo, in power since 2009, has been out of the country since October amid reports that he had a stroke. He recently addressed the country in a new year's message that was filmed in Morocco, where he has been receiving medical treatment.

Oil-rich Gabon has been ruled for more than half a century by Bongo and his father, Omar, who died in 2009. Critics have accused the family of profiting from the country's natural resources while not investing enough in basic services for the population of more than two million people. About one-third of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

In his brief New Year's speech, the 59-year-old Bongo declared that the country was "indivisible" and acknowledged his health problems without giving details. "A difficult period," he called it, and a challenge that he surmounted "thanks to God." He promised to put all of his efforts into improving the daily quality of life for Gabon's people.

The French-educated Bongo, the country's defence minister before becoming president, narrowly won re-election in 2016, while opposition rival Jean Ping claimed irregularities and continues to call himself the country's real president.</s>The military in Gabon has seized power from the current president, Ali Bongo, whose family has been in office for over 50 years. Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.

Soldiers in the oil-rich West African country say they launched a coup “to restore democracy”.

They took control of the national radio station at 04:30 local time to read a short statement announcing a “National Restoration Council”.

Tanks and armed vehicles can be seen on the streets of the capital Libreville.

Mr Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a stroke in October and received treatment in Morocco.

The government is yet to react to this development.

Also, Like us on facebook</s>Gabon Says Coup Attempt Is 'Under Control' After Soldiers Seized Radio Station

Gabon says it has put down an apparent coup attempt, after armed soldiers seized a state radio station early Monday morning and broadcast a statement saying the nation was under their control, and that a new leader would be chosen.

But within hours, government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou announced the coup had failed, saying, "The situation is under control."

In an interview with French broadcaster RFI, Mapangou said several leaders of the attempted coup had been arrested.

The coup was broadcast from Libreville, capital of the West African nation, in a radio address that was also shared in an online video. It featured a soldier who identified himself as Lt. Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, a commander in the Republican Guard and leader of the Patriotic Movement of the Young Defense and Security Forces.

The incident set off confusion in and outside of Gabon, coming as the ailing President Ali Bongo Ondimba — whose family has run the oil-rich country since the 1960s — continues a lengthy recovery in Morocco.

In the video, "the soldier says a new year's message from President Ali Bongo Ondimba, which was meant to end the debate about his health after a suspected stroke, has rather reinforced doubts about the president's ability to continue running the country," NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports. "Ondo Obiang also made what appears to be a reference to deadly violence after Bongo's disputed election win in 2016, saying this apparent power grab is in protest at those who assassinated our young compatriots in a cowardly fashion in Aug 2016."

As he spoke, Ondo Obiang was bracketed by two fellow soldiers, who held assault rifles and gave emphatic nods of agreement during his nearly 6-minute address.

Calling on Gabon's citizens to support the coup, Ondo Obiang said, "If you are eating, stop; if you are having a drink, stop; if you are sleeping, wake up. Wake up your neighbors, in all the provinces, all the cities, all the villages — rise up as one and take control of the street."

The soldier said a "restoration council" would work to bring democracy back to Gabon.

But the government quickly overcame the coup attempt; France 24 cites Mapangou saying that four of the five mutineers have been arrested, and that the fifth person is on the run.

Gabon has been in a deepening political crisis since late October, when reports emerged that Bongo, 59, was being treated for an illness in Saudi Arabia. After spending weeks in that country, he moved to Morocco, in a process that's been veiled in secrecy.

During Bongo's extended absence, new powers were granted to Gabon's vice president, Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou. But those actions drew criticism from those who noted the country's constitution requires new elections within 45 days of vacancy due to a president's resignation or health.

As Monday's coup attempt played out, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a statement saying the African Union "strongly condemns the coup attempt this morning in Gabon. I reaffirm the AU's total rejection of all unconstitutional change of power."</s>The junior military men expressed disappointment with President Ali Bongo's inability to rule and carry out responsibilities of the office.

“It reinforced doubts about his ability to assume the responsibilities of his role as President of the Republic", BBC quoted Lt Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the so-called Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.

Obiang in a radio broadcast in local language appealed to young people to "take charge of their destiny".

President Ali Bongo who took over after his late father in 2009 has been hospitalised since October 2018. He first visited Saudi Arabia for treatment of a stroke and later moved to Morocco to continue treatment.

In a New Year Message, the president appeared on a video, saying he was recovering from illness. In a similar report by Reuters, a spokesman for the presidency said the government will make a statement shortly.

Gabon in the hands of Bongo family

The Bongo family has ruled the West Africa nation for more than 50 years. The father, Omar Bongo ruled between 1967 until his death in 2009.

His son, Ali Bongo, who was the then Minister of Foreign Affairs took after the 41 years in power by his father.

Ali Bongo was re-elected in 2016 in an election marred by irregularities and violence.

The communication minister, in a statement issued on Monday, January 7, 2018, says the 'situation is under control' as rebels have been rearrested.

According to reports, four of five Gabon military officers who attempted a coup have been arrested at radio station as one escaped.</s>LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Military officers in Gabon attempted to stage a coup early Monday morning, seizing the state radio station and declaring their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is recovering from a stroke in Morocco.

A New Year’s Eve address by Mr. Bongo “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office,” said Lt. Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon.

The radio message was broadcast at around 4:30 a.m. local time. A spokesman for the president said he would make a statement shortly.

Mr. Bongo, 59, was hospitalized in October in Saudi Arabia after a stroke. He has been in Morocco since November to continue treatment.</s>The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Gabon’s government has retained control of the West African country after an attempted military coup early Monday in which two plotters were killed, the government said.

Five army officers who took over state radio in the coup attempt have been arrested, government spokesman Guy-Betrand Mapangou, told Radio France International.

Authorities regained control of state broadcasting offices and a major thoroughfare in the capital, Libreville, which were the only areas taken over by the officers, the spokesman said.

Two of the coup participants were killed when security forces took over and freed some hostages, according to a presidential statement reported by RFI.

Earlier Monday a soldier who identified himself as Lt. Obiang Ondo Kelly, commander of the Republican Guard, read out a statement saying the military had seized control of Gabon’s government in order to “restore democracy.” He was flanked by two other soldiers holding weapons; all were dressed in camouflage uniforms and green berets.

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Those soldiers have been taken into custody and President Ali Bongo’s government remains in control, the government spokesman said.

A curfew has been imposed over the capital, Libreville, and the internet was cut. The city on the Atlantic Ocean coast was being patrolled by military tanks and armed vehicles.

The African Union affirmed its support for the Bongo government.

“The African Union strongly condemns the coup attempt this morning in Gabon,” the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said on Twitter. “I reaffirm the AU’s rejection of all anti-constitutional change.”

Bongo, in power since 2009, has been out of the country since October amid reports that he had a stroke. He recently addressed the country in a New Year’s message that was filmed in Morocco, where he has been receiving medical treatment.

Gabon, which is sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest oil producer, has been ruled for more than half a century by Bongo and his father, Omar, who died in 2009. Critics have accused the family of profiting from the country’s natural resources while not investing enough in basic services for the population of more than 2 million. About one-third of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

In his brief New Year’s address, the 59-year-old Bongo declared that the country was “indivisible” and acknowledged his health problems without giving details. “A difficult period,” he called it, and a challenge that he surmounted “thanks to God.” He promised to put all of his efforts into improving the daily quality of life for Gabon’s people.

The French-educated Bongo, who was the country’s defense minister before becoming president, narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a vote opposition rival Jean Ping claimed was plagued by irregularities, and he continues to call himself the country’s real president.

This story has been corrected to show that Bongo’s New Year’s address was not from a hospital bed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.</s>A group of military officers in central African nation of Gabon staged an apparent coup early Monday morning, seizing the state radio station and declaring their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo, who is recovering from a stroke in Morocco.

The government of Gabon declared that it was in control after an attempted coup by army rebels Monday and that it had arrested most of those involved.

"Calm has returned, the situation is under control," government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told the French Press Agency (AFP).

Of the five rebel soldiers who did this, according to Mapangou, "four have been arrested and one is on the run."

A spokesman for the presidency told Reuters he would make a statement shortly.

The rebel soldiers said in their statement that 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," which was read by Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, the leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.

The radio message was broadcast at around 4:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT). A source close to the government said there were gunshots around the national television station, but that the plotters appeared to be a small group of soldiers.



 In this video grab made on a video footage obtained on YouTube on January 7, 2019, Gabon soldiers on state radio called on the people to "rise up" and announced a "national restoration council" would be formed, as an ailing President Ali Bongo is out of the country

A crowd of about 300 people had gathered at the station in support of the attempted coup, but soldiers fired tear gas to disperse them. Most of Libreville remained calm but there was a strong police and military presence on the street and helicopters circled overhead amid sounds of sporadic gunfire.

A curfew has been imposed over the capital, Libreville, and the internet has been cut. The city on the Atlantic Ocean coast is being patrolled by military tanks and armed vehicles. No violence has been reported.

Military vehicles blocked access to the boulevard where the offices are located, an AFP correspondent said.

Kelly announced a "national restoration council" would be formed. The movement "calls on all young people from forces for the defense and security and Gabonese young people to join us," the officer said.

"We cannot abandon our homeland," he added.

"The eagerly awaited day has arrived when the army has decided to put itself on the side of the people in order to save Gabon from chaos."

"If you are eating, stop; if you are having a drink, stop; if you are sleeping, wake up. Wake up your neighbors... rise up as one and take control of the street," he said.

The MPJFDS considers Bongo's speech "shameful" for a "country (which) has lost its dignity", the officer said in the speech on state delivered Monday.

Bongo, 59, was hospitalized in October in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke. He has been in Moroccon capital Rabat since November to continue treatment.

In his speech on New Year's, Bongo acknowledged health problems but said he was recovering. He slurred some of his words and did not move his right arm, but otherwise appeared in decent health.

In his absence, the Constitutional Court transferred part of the powers of the president to the prime minister and the vice president.

The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country for nearly half a century. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009. His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.

59-year-old Bongo became known variously by his initials of ABO, Ali B -- or, less flatteringly, as "Monsieur Fils" (Mr. Son).

He was born to a 15-year-old girl, Josephine Kama, in the Congolese city of Brazzaville, which at the time was still part of France's rapidly-shrinking colonial empire. Because he had been born abroad before his parents' marriage, Bongo for years fought rumors that he was a foreigner who had been adopted.

Amateurs of pop psychology keen for signs of filial insecurity would be sure to pounce on a record that Bongo made in 1977 as an aspiring funk singer. Now a Youtube curiosity, the album features top-class musicians, lavishly produced by associates of James Brown, and carries the title "A Brand New Man."

In those days, Bongo called himself by his birth name of Alain Bongo.

Within three years, though, shepherded by his father, he abandoned the path of entertainment and entered politics, a "new man" in career terms. He renamed himself Ali Bongo, converting to Islam like his father.

Bongo senior, who took office in 1967, had the reputation of a kleptocrat -- one of the wealthiest men in the world, with a fortune derived from Gabon's oil.

He was also a pillar of "Francafrique" -- a now much-contested strategy by which France bound itself to its former African colonies through cronyism, often tainted with corruption and rights abuses.

Bongo senior liked to claim that Ali and his elder sister Pascaline worked for him on the basis of their talent, and not nepotism.

As a young man, Bongo worked as his father's faithful lieutenant, traveling the world and building up extensive contacts in the United States and the Arab world at the time of the second oil boom.

In August 1989, he was appointed foreign minister at just 30, but had to step down two years later when a new constitution stipulated that cabinet members had to be at least 35.

He was back in government by 1999, at the head of the defense ministry.

There he remained until shortly before the start of the election campaign caused by the death of his father in 2009 after 42 years in office.

The handover to Bongo junior was not a surprise, given the years of grooming and his own ambitions, despite some opposition in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), and the shadow of corruption left by his father.

In 2016, he was narrowly re-elected for a second-year term by a few thousand votes, beating out opposition challenger Jean Ping after a campaign marred by bloody clashes and allegations of voter fraud.

Pitching to a country that had been run for decades by his family, Bongo tried the difficult task of posing as an agent of change -- packing each speech with words such as "renewal" and "innovation."

He unveiled a string of projects, including diversifying the economy, opening up markets to Asian investors, trimming the state sector, building a giant marina in the heart of the capital, Libreville.

"He made all these big announcements, but did they lead to anything?" asked Jean, an unemployed Libreville resident.

One of his enduring achievements, though, was to foster the environment, notably creating a wildlife park that surrounds the capital.

Bongo turfed out a string of long-standing officials and replaced them with a younger generation -- "he wanted to chase away his father's ghost and exercise control," a diplomatic observer said.

But to his detractors, Bongo was stiff and lacked the charm and communication skills of his father.

He attended some of Brazzaville's top schools and went on to study law in France, the former colonial power, but did not learn any of Gabon's local languages -- a major disadvantage.

His lavish spending, especially on luxury cars, also raised eyebrows in a country where oil wealth contrasts with widespread poverty.

Bongo's dream of stardust never left him.

In 1992, while still defense minister, he organized a trip to Gabon by Michael Jackson, and Jackson's brother, Jermaine, attended Bongo senior's funeral in 2009.

In 2017, Bongo went to London to record an album with the London Symphony Orchestra called "Symphonic Visions from Gabon" which he co-composed.

In 1989, Bongo married Sylvia, a Franco-Gabonese, with whom he had four children.</s>The Gabon Military has overthrown the government after claiming that President Ali bongo and his family had ruled the country for the past 50 years.

The Military said that the coup was an attempt to restore democracy in the West African Nation. The Military took control of a radio station and made the statement overthrowing the government.

Ondo Obiang the leader of the coup said the coup was being carried out “to restore democracy” and to oust “those who, in a cowardly way, assassinated our young compatriots on the night of August 31 2016” – a reference to deadly violence that erupted after Bongo was declared the winner of a disputed election.

President Ali Bongo suffered a stroke in October and has been ailing and even sort treatment in Morocco. He has been in power since 2009. He was re-elected in2016 in an election that was marred with irregularities.

US troops were deployed in Gabon by Donald Trump last week to be on standby in Congo

In His new year message Bongo acknowledged that he had been ailing but stated that he was doing better.

The Military Tanks and officers were deployed in the capital city of Libreville.

Do you have a story you want told? Do you know of a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your news TIPS to [email protected] Also WhatsApp 0708677607 with your news tips</s>Gabon has foiled an attempted military coup and arrested several plotters just hours after they took over state radio in a bid to end 50 years of rule by President Ali Bongo's family.

The chief military rebel who led the thwarted coup bid on Monday was arrested and two of his commandos were killed, according to a statement by Gabon's presidency.

"The situation is under control," the statement said.

The remaining two rebels involved in the coup attempt were also taken into custody.

Government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told Reuters news agency that authorities have regained control of the state broadcasting offices and a major thoroughfare in the capital Libreville, which were the only areas taken over by the officers.

President Bongo has been away from the country since October after suffering a stroke while attending a summit in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier on Monday, a soldier who identified himself as Liuetenant Obiang Ondo Kelly, commander of the Republican Guard, read out a statement saying the military had seized control of the government of the West African country.

Flanked by two other soldiers holding weapons, the soldier said they were taking over to "restore democracy".

He said Bongo's New Year's Eve address from Morocco "reinforced doubts about the president's ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office".

In one of his first television appearances since he suffered the stroke in Saudi Arabia in October, Bongo, 59, slurred his speech and he appeared unable to move his right arm.

It is unclear if he is able to walk. He has been in Morocco since November to continue treatment.

Mapangou, the government spokesman, told France 24 that the situation was under control after the arrests.

"The government is in place. The institutions are in place," he said.

A curfew has been imposed over Libreville, and the internet has been cut.

The city on the Atlantic Ocean coast is being patrolled by military tanks and armed vehicles.

Antoine Lawson, a Gabonese journalist, told Al Jazeera the coup attempt had caused panic in Libreville.

"The people are afraid. When the young soldiers asked everyone to come to the streets in support of the coup, nobody did because they were in panic," he said from Libreville.

The African Union affirmed its support for the Bongo government.

"The African Union strongly condemns the coup attempt this morning in Gabon," the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said on Twitter.

"I reaffirm the AU's rejection of all anti-constitutional change."

Separately, France, which ruled Gabon from 1885 until independence in 1960, said it condemned "any extra-constitutional attempt at regime change".

"The stability of Gabon can only be assured by strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution," foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in Paris.

France has a permanent force of 300 soldiers in Gabon. The United States also sent about 80 soldiers to Gabon last week in response to possible violence in Democratic Republic of Congo after a presidential election there.

The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country since 1967. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009.

His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.

Gabon, a small country with a population of about two million people, is estimated to be the fourth-richest nation in Africa.

"For the moment we think the coup attempt failed, and that it was the work of a small number of enthusiastic but possibly naive officers," Francois Conradie, head of research at NKC African Economics, told DPA news agency.

The government would now likely use the coup attempt to further impose restrictions on the opposition, he said.

"While Mr Bongo is unpopular, and there are reasons to think his removal would be justified, any incoming government would face the same fiscal pressures as his," Conradie said.</s>LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - Gabon foiled an attempted military coup on Monday, arresting several plotters just hours after they took over state radio in a bid to end 50 years of rule by President Ali Bongo’s family.

Government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told Reuters that four of the five officers involved were arrested in the capital Libreville. A fifth officer fled and is being pursued, he said.

In a radio message at 4:30 a.m. (0330 GMT), Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, who described himself as an officer in the Republican Guard, said Bongo’s New Year’s Eve address from Morocco, where he is recovering from a stroke, “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office”.

In one of his first television appearances since he suffered the stroke in Saudi Arabia in October, Bongo, 59, slurred his speech and he appeared unable to move his right arm. It is unclear if he is able to walk. He has been in Morocco since November to continue treatment.

Outside the radio station, loyalist soldiers fired teargas to disperse about 300 people who had come out into the streets to support the coup attempt, a Reuters witness said. Helicopters circled overhead.

Most of the beachside capital was quiet, however, and a government spokesman said the situation was under control after the arrests. “The government is in place. The institutions are in place,” Mapangou told France 24.

The Bongo family has ruled the oil-producing country since 1967. Bongo has been president since succeeding his father, Omar, who died in 2009. His re-election in 2016 was marred by claims of fraud and violent protest.

The economy was long buoyed by oil revenues, much of which went to a moneyed elite while most of the two-million population live in deep poverty. In Libreville, expensive western hotels overlook the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the capital’s hillside shanties to the east.

A sharp drop in oil production and prices in recent years has squeezed revenues and stoked discontent. Oil workers’ strikes have become increasingly common.

The international community condemned the coup attempt, including former colonial ruler France which urged its 8,900 citizens registered in Gabon to avoid moving around Libreville.

“Gabon’s stability can only be ensured in strict compliance with the provisions of its constitution,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said.

In a tweet on Monday, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat reaffirmed “the AU’s total rejection of all unconstitutional changes of power.”

In a video on social media, Ondo is seen in a radio studio wearing military fatigues and a green beret as he reads the statement. Two other soldiers with rifles stand behind him.

Ondo said the coup was being carried out by a group called the Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon against “those who, in a cowardly way, assassinated our young compatriots on the night of August 31, 2016,” a reference to violence that erupted after Bongo was declared winner of the disputed election.

Bongo won the poll by fewer than 6,000 votes, sparking deadly clashes between protesters and police during which the parliament was torched.

The military officer said the coup attempt was carried out by one unit under the command of a high-ranking officer but that other units were monitoring the situation.

“President Bongo’s record as defense minister under his father lowers the possibility that current military leadership is supportive of his ouster,” said Judd Devermont of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

France has a permanent force of 300 soldiers in Gabon. The United States also sent about 80 soldiers to Gabon last week in response to possible violence in Democratic Republic of Congo after a presidential election there.

Bongo and members of his government have faced repeated suspicions by foreign governments of corruption. They have denied the accusations. During his father’s rule, Gabon was a pillar of “La Francafrique”, a web of diplomacy, trade and French military might giving French companies favored access to African autocrats.

Gabon’s dollar-denominated sovereign debt <XS1003557870=TE > <US362420AC51=TE > tumbled in early trading, with both outstanding bonds losing around 3 cents in the dollar. However, prices recovered in late morning, with bonds trading around half a cent lower.
The government of Gabon quashes a coup d'état by soldiers. The attempt took place while the country's president, Ali Bongo, was undergoing medical treatment in Morocco.