Gabon's Ousted President, Bongo Under House Arrest, Son Charged For Treason

 

Gabon military officers have said President Ali Bongo Ondimba is under house arrest.

 

According to the officers, one of his sons has also been arrested for “treason”.

 

The military officers revealed this on Wednesday, hours after announcing they had overthrown the government.

 

“President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors,” they said in a statement read out on state TV.

 

Gabonese army officers under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions had earlier on Wednesday morning announced on national television why they are taking over power from President Ali Bongo in the country.

 

The soldiers highlighted serious institutional, political, economic and social crises as factors responsible for the coup that they tagged, ‘necessary’ for the progress of the West African country.

 

In a nationwide address rendered in French but translated to English by AFP, the junta said, “Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace.

 

 

Details later…