Gabonese army officers oust Bongo, say they are 'taking power'

PUNCH

Army officers have appeared on national television in Gabon on Wednesday to announce they have taken over power in the West African country, BBC reports.

They said they were annulling the results of Saturday’s election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.

The soldiers who introduced themselves as members of the CTRI (The Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions) said, “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the regime in power.”

The electoral commission said Bongo’s main challenger, Albert Ondo Ossa, had come in second place with 30.77%. Bongo’s team have rejected Ondo Ossa’s allegations of electoral irregularities.

His overthrow would end his family’s 53-year hold on power in Gabon.

Details later…