Twelve mutinous soldiers appeared on Gabonese national television to say they forcefully took over power and sacked President Ali Bongo because of lack of satisfaction with the election process.
They also announced the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic” and the revocation of recent election results.
The declaration by the coupists was made on Wednesday following the third term re-election of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, in what the opposition dubbed a “fraud orchestrated” by the ruling party.
The president is allegedly under house arrest at what is thought to be the presidential palace, according to the military.
His father, Omar Bongo, served as president from 1967 until his passing in 2009. Since then, the younger Bongo has been in charge.
Since the military took power, there have been scenes of joy in Libreville, the capital of Gabon.
