Following last month's military takeover in Niger, a group of senior Gabonese military officers announced on national television they were seizing power in the central African nation, overturning results in a disputed presidential election four days ago.
Bloomberg reported the oil-rich nation (also an OPEC member) with a population of about 2 million saw dollar bonds tumble after military officers announced on television channel Gabon 24 that election results were canceled, borders closed, and state institutions including the Senate, National Assembly and Constitutional Court dissolved.
"In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime," one military office said. He said, "We call on the population for calm and serenity."
You're probably wondering where the heck is this tiny OPEC country... The former French colony is in central Africa and borders Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo.
Gabon Military: "On this day, August 30, 2023, we, the defense and security forces... on behalf of the Gabonese people and guarantor of the protection of institutions, have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime." pic.twitter.com/kboTBOmBaP
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) August 30, 2023