Another former French colony follows pattern of discontent against status-quo throughout the West Africa region
Geopolitical Analysis
By Abayomi Azikiwe – August 31, 2023
Gabonese soldiers led by the presidential guard detained President Ali Bongo during the early morning hours of August 30, ending a more than five decades-long political dynasty within this oil-rich West and Central African state.
In announcing the coup, members of the military appeared on Gabon television calling themselves the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI).
Spokespersons for the CTRI have accused the Bongo government of committing a series of crimes against the interests of the Gabonese people. During the television announcement of the coup, CTRI stated that:
“Today our country is going through a grave political crisis. We have observed an ‘irresponsible, unforeseeable governance that has resulted in the steady degradation of social cohesion which risks leading the country to chaos […] we have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the regime in power,’ the armed men said. [Dear] ‘people of Gabon, we are finally on the road to bliss, may God and the souls of our ancestors bless our country.” (https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/30/gabon-military-men-announce-cancellation-of-elections-dissolve-institutions//)
The coup represents a rash of such occurrences over the last three years within former French colonies where Paris has maintained a strong economic and military presence. In Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger, new military-dominated governments have achieved state power. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger do not want a continued French presence in their countries….
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