Gabon: Free Ali Bongo Ondimba, Warn AU.
With this crisis in Gabon, the African Union (AU), took a firm stance through a statement issued by its headquarters in Addis Ababa, where it made an emphatic appeal for “immediate release” by Ali Bongo Ondimba, the deposed President who is currently under house arrest, since the coup d'état led by the military, this past Wednesday.
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union reiterated the importance of “immediate release” of the President of Gabon and demanded that his human rights, personal integrity, safety and health, as well as those of his family and members of the government, be guaranteed.
The CPS also strongly condemned any politically motivated detention and emphasized the need for all political prisoners to be treated within the judicial system, as provided for in the country's legislation.
The coming weeks will be crucial to determine whether the crisis in Gabon deepens or whether there is a collective effort to find a way out that benefits regional stability and the well-being of the Gabonese people.
Gabon suspended by the AU
The African Union (AU) issued a statement demanding the “immediate release” of the ousted President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, currently under house arrest following the recent military coup.
The African Union Peace and Security Council held a meeting to review the situation in Gabon, highlighting the growing instability in the region and condemned political detentions motivated by the circumstances.
It also highlighted the need to guarantee the human rights, personal integrity and safety of Ali Bongo Ondimba, as well as his family and members of the government, while reinforcing the importance of treating all political prisoners in accordance with the country's judicial system.
The AU, in retaliation for the coup, suspended Gabon as a member of the Pan-African organization “until constitutional order is restored”. This action aims to demonstrate the gravity of the coup d'état and the UA's repudiation of such acts.
The CPS urged the immediate restoration of constitutional order in Gabon through the holding of free, fair, credible and transparent elections. The AU and the Regional Election Observation Mission will oversee this process.
The AU also demanded that the military immediately return to barracks and unconditionally hand power back to civilian authorities. This implies respect for the constitutional mandate and the principle of constitutionalism. The AU emphasized that the military should not interfere in Gabon's political process.
If these demands are not met, the AU warned that additional measures, including the imposition of specific sanctions against those responsible for the coup d'état, could be taken.
The AU further requested the African Union Commission to send a high-level mission to Gabon, with the aim of preparing the ground for the immediate transfer of power to a democratically elected civilian government.
Gabon's coup d'état
A group of Gabonese military seized power, claiming last Saturday's elections were not transparent, credible or inclusive. They also accused the government of governing irresponsibly and unpredictably, undermining social cohesion.
Gabon is one of the oil powers of sub-Saharan Africa, which makes this Coup d'Etat, the second to occur in Africa in just over a month, a great concern for the AU and in particular for France, especially after the army took power in Niger on July 26th of this year.
“It seems that we are entering a saga. The African continent is experiencing yet another coup, yet another coup carried out in a French-speaking country”.
“It seems to me that we are witnessing the end of a dynasty that lasted 55 years in power, that of the Bongo family”.
Said political analyst João Bernardo Vieira.
Gabon now joins a list of countries where successful coups d'état took place in the last three years in Africa. This list includes Niger (July 2023), Mali (August 2020 and May 2021), Guinea Conakry (September 2021), Sudan (October 2021) and Burkina Faso (January and September 2022 ).
Nguema, Transitional President
The appointment of General Brice Oligui Nguema as “transitional president” by coup leaders in Gabon is a significant development with profound implications for the country's political future.
Such appointments usually occur in situations of political instability to restore order and eventually return to civilian rule. However, historically, transitional presidencies can also be used to consolidate the power of military leaders or perpetuate authoritarian regimes.
The decision to take office before the Constitutional Court on September 4, 2023, suggests an attempt to legitimize the transitional government before the existing institutions, but is contested due to the moment of uncertainty and doubt that surrounds it.
General Nguema's role as transitional president will be crucial, he could choose an agenda of national reconciliation and promise free and fair elections or consolidate military control, weakening democratic institutions. The reaction of the opposition, civil society and the international community will be fundamental, being able to pressure the military to hold fair elections,
Democratic participation and respect for human rights are fundamental for a democratic transition, as well as international support to reverse the coup. The appointment of General Nguema represents a turning point in the evolution of Gabon's political crisis, and his subsequent actions and responses will have a lasting impact on the country's future.
Opposition Claims Victory in Elections
Amid the turmoil triggered by the coup d'état in Gabon, the Gabon Alternância 2023 platform has emerged as a prominent voice of the opposition, challenging the legitimacy of the coup and seeking solutions to the political crisis.
Their call to the military to recognize their claimed victory in the presidential election demonstrated their determination to keep democracy alive in Gabon. Furthermore, by requesting a review of the electoral process overseen by the Armed Forces, they sought a peaceful resolution involving both parties. in an acceptable mechanism.
However, the military's response remains uncertain, with significant implications for Gabon's future. Gabon's call to Alternation 2023 for the completion of the vote count and recognition of Albert Ondo Ossa's supposed “victory” adds complexity to the political situation already volatile.
“At the end of this process, which should continue under the supervision of our Armed Forces, Albert Ondo Osso will see the victory achieved at the ballot box formalized”.
"This is the path towards democracy and the rule of law."
Said Mike Jocktane, campaign director for Alternation 2023.
This appeal is key to establishing the legitimacy of the resulting government, but it comes at a time of great uncertainty.
The ambiguity surrounding the word “victory” could fuel political disputes, while the response of military forces will be crucial in determining the course of the crisis. A peaceful transition of power depends on the completion of the count and dialogue between all stakeholders, including the opposition, the military and the international community.
Regional Implications
The opposition candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa stated that what happened in Gabon was not a real coup d'état, but “a palace revolution"because it was the"Praetorian Guard seizing power“. This statement adds complexity to the political situation in the country.
This description is crucial, influencing the perception of events both domestically and internationally. By labeling the events as a “palace revolution“, Ondo Ossa seeks to portray the change as an internal transformation within the government or among political elites, as opposed to a conventional military coup.
This distinction could attract support from sectors of the population and the international community that could consider this change as a necessary reform, rather than an undemocratic act.
Ondo Ossa's plea for "full transparency on election results” aims to restore democratic legitimacy, suggesting that, in the opposition's view, democracy can be preserved as long as elections take place in a fair and transparent manner.
This indicates the opposition's willingness to work within the democratic system, as long as its concerns regarding the previous electoral process are resolved. However, it also raises questions about how the opposition plans to achieve this transparency and how it sees the role of government institutions and the international community in this process.
In the regional context, the implications of this revolt, regardless of whether it is considered a coup d'état or a palace revolution, are significant. Neighboring countries and regional organizations such as the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) are keeping an eye on developments.
Stability in Gabon is crucial to regional stability and any prolonged turbulence could affect the entire Central African region. Therefore, the evolution of the political crisis in Gabon and the reactions of internal and external stakeholders will have a profound impact on regional political dynamics.
The International Reaction
The coup d'état in Gabon triggered an immediate response from the international community, which expressed concern about the implications of the crisis for stability in the Central African region. Among the actors who vigorously condemned the coup, the European Union (EU), who expressed serious concerns about the unfolding of events in the country.
The EU, through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, made an emphatic statement.
"If this is confirmed, it is yet another military coup that increases instability throughout the region."
Portugal also had a word to say and Helena Carreiras, Minister of Defense of Portugal, said.
“This coup d'état shows that the EU has to look at security at 360 degrees”.
These statements demonstrate recognition that the consequences of the coup could transcend Gabon's borders and spread to neighboring countries, creating a potentially dangerous scenario for regional stability. In addition to the EU, other international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), also spoke out against the coup.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the military action and urged the parties involved to resolve the situation peacefully and in accordance with the law. These reactions from the international community highlighted the shared concern about the impact of the coup d'état in Gabon on the stability of the entire region.
As the situation continued to evolve, the world was watching closely, waiting to see how the parties involved would respond to international pressure and whether solutions were sought that would allow a return to constitutional order and stability in Gabon and, by extension, Central Africa.
Russia's Influence
Russia's expression of interest in closely following events in Gabon not only highlights the complexity of the situation in the country, but also points to the geopolitical chess game that often occurs in international crises.
Russia's consideration of growing instability and also growing anti-French sentiment in Gabon is significant, as it demonstrates how external actors can perceive opportunities to increase their influence in strategic regions. Speculation about Russia's mediating role in the Gabon crisis highlights the multifaceted nature of international diplomacy.
Russia, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, may seek to play a facilitator or mediator role, potentially seeking political, economic or strategic advantage in the process.
Your ability to influence the situation will depend on the willingness of all parties involved to accept your intervention and the degree of trust you can build between the main actors. Instability in Gabon is not just a regional concern, but a global one as well.
Growing instability in Central Africa could have significant ramifications for security, stability and development in the region. The crisis in Gabon could also affect Africa's relationship with other international actors such as the EU, the AU and, of course, the United States.
As events continue to unfold in Gabon, the international community's attention is likely to intensify. Preventive diplomacy, the search for peaceful solutions and the promotion of human rights and democracy must be priorities at a time of growing uncertainty.
The coming weeks will be crucial to determine whether the crisis in Gabon deepens or whether there is a collective effort to find a way out that benefits regional stability and the well-being of the Gabonese people.
Analysis of the Crisis in Gabon
The coup d'état in Gabon represents yet another episode in the series of political crises that have affected several African nations in recent years, in particular countries that were former colonies of France.
The AU has taken a firm stand in demanding the immediate release of deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba and in suspending Gabon from membership in the organization until constitutional order is restored. These measures are indicative of the seriousness of the situation and the AU's determination to defend democracy and human rights on the African continent.
The situation remains volatile, with the military in control of the country and the opposition contesting the election results. The appointment of General Brice Oligui Nguema as “transitional president” also raises concerns about the legitimacy of the resulting coup government.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this crisis unfolds. International pressure, including the possibility of sanctions, can influence military and opposition actions.
The high-level AU mission to Gabon can serve as a conduit for negotiations and mediation. It is important to note that Gabon is a nation rich in natural resources, including oil, and plays a strategic role in the region. Prolonged instability in the country could have significant economic and geopolitical ramifications.
Conclusion
The political crisis in Gabon represents a crucial episode in the dynamics of Central Africa. The AU acted decisively, demanding the immediate release of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba and suspending Gabon's membership in the organization until constitutional order is restored.
These actions reflect the AU's commitment to upholding democracy and human rights on the African continent. On the other hand, the nomination of General Brice Oligui Nguema as “transitional president” raises crucial questions about the legitimacy of the new government. Gabon, with its wealth of natural resources, including oil, plays a strategic role in the region.
Therefore, prolonged instability in the country could have significant economic and geopolitical implications. The international response, including the possible imposition of sanctions, can influence the behavior of the military and the opposition. In addition, Russia's expression of interest in the situation highlights the complexity of the geopolitical relationships involved.
As the crisis in Gabon evolves, diplomacy and a commitment to human rights must be priorities. The coming weeks will be decisive for the outcome of the crisis and for analyzing whether there will be cooperative efforts to ensure regional stability and the well-being of the Gabonese population.
What do you have to say about this series of coup d'états, now in Gabon, in this region of Central Africa? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.
See also:
Gabon: Military rejects Ali Bongo's re-election
Conversations About… Niger (Part 2/3)
Conversations About… Niger (Part 1/3)
Picture: © 2023 Julien de Rosa
