Statement from the UN and the White House: The situation is worrying

The name behind the coup in Gabon, the leader of the Republican Guard, General Nguema, responded to questions from the French newspaper Le Monde.

When asked about his vision of himself as Gabon’s new leader, General Nguema replied: “I don’t position myself like that yet. We will decide together who will be the leader of the transitional government in our meeting with the generals.” he gave the answer.

Noting that “people have been dissatisfied with the government for a while” in Gabon, General Nguema further noted that President Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and claimed that he had been ill for a while.

Nguema said that President Bongo did not have the right to run for the third time, but Bongo violated the constitution.

Underlining that the presidential elections held over the weekend were also “rigged”, Nguema recalled that the army also acted “responsibly” in the face of these events and decided to turn the page.

Regarding Bongo’s current situation, Nguema stated: “Ali Bongo has withdrawn. He is now an ordinary citizen of Gabon ”. he made the assessment of it.

General Nguema added that he could not speak on the issue of whether Bongo was under house arrest.

UN CONDEMNATION

In a written statement by the UN spokesperson, it was claimed that UN Secretary-General Guterres was closely following developments in Gabon and was concerned about the announcement of the election results despite serious violations.

Underlining that Guterres strongly opposes military coups, the statement said: “The Secretary General strongly condemns the attempted coup in Gabon to resolve the post-election crisis.” Emphasis was made.

In the statement, in which Antonio Guterres called for restraint from all parties and called for an inclusive and meaningful dialogue, it was stressed that the rule of law and human rights must be respected. “The UN stands with the people of Gabon,” the statement said. The expression was used.

WHITE HOUSE: THE SITUATION IS INCREDIBLE

The coordinator of Strategic Communications of the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby, affirmed that they are closely following the events in Gabon and that the situation is “worrisome”.

Speaking to reporters, Kirby said the United States will continue to support the region and the people of Gabon, working closely with its partners in Africa and supporting democracy.

Kirby said: “We are closely following the events in Gabon and the attempted military coup. This development in the region, which has been shaken unconstitutionally and by coup attempts, is deeply worrying.” he said.

Asked if there is such a “trend” in the region, Kirby said: “It is worrying that military authorities in another country are taking dangerous steps in this direction, but it is too early to call it a ‘trend’.” he gave the answer.

COUP IN GABON

A group of soldiers, who entered the national television building in the central African country of Gabon early in the morning, announced that they had taken over the administration.

The military, calling itself the “Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI)”, announced that the elections held on August 26 were canceled and the country’s borders closed.

The current President Ali Bongo Ondimba won the presidential elections held on August 26 for the third time. Ali Bongo, 64, took over the seat in 2009 from his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled the country for more than 41 years.

A curfew was imposed alleging that “violence” was practiced in the last hours of the electoral process in the country, and the Internet was restricted while the post-election vote counting process continued.

Opponents, on the other hand, reacted to the government’s practices, with opposition leader Ondo Ossa claiming that the elections were rigged in his presidential fight against Ali Bongo. (AA)