- Bongo made the call in viral video at an undisclosed location on August 30, 2023
- Bongo, 64, whose family has ruled Gabon for over 55 years, was placed under house arrest and one of his sons arrested for treason, the coup leaders said
Deposed Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has called on his international allies to speak out against the seizure of power by the military in the central Africa nation.
Bongo made the call in viral video at an undisclosed location on August 30, 2023.
In the video, the visibly troubled deposed leader implored his “friends” to “make noise” after military officers in the oil-rich central African state staged a coup.
“I’m sending a message to all friends that we have all over the world to tell them to make noise for… the people here who arrested me and my family,” he said in English, in the clip posted on social media.
Military officers in the oil-rich central African country announced on August 30, 2023 they had seized power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power since 2009, had been declared victor.
Bongo, 64, whose family has ruled Gabon for over 55 years, was placed under house arrest and one of his sons arrested for treason, the coup leaders said.
Bongo, who was recorded while seated, said his son was in one location while his wife was “in another place”.
“I’m at the residence and nothing is happening, I don’t know what’s going on, I’m calling (on) you to make noise,” he said.
AFP, who obtained the footage, was not able to determine where or when the video was captured.
Gabon's President Ali Bongo calls for help following a coup. He is under house arrest.
Gabonese Citizens are celebrating on the streets. He blocked internet access in the country during the disputed election.
Him and his father ruled for 56 years.
A Judge was suspended for… pic.twitter.com/7HMWkT4B1b
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 30, 2023
Earlier, a military leader said Bongo’s son and close adviser Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisers and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) had been arrested.
They are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations, he said.
China has called on Bongo’s safety to be guaranteed, while former colonial power France has said it is watching developments in Gabon “with the greatest attention”.
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