The alleged mastermind has been detained, APA learnt from media reports.
“While the five soldiers were in the premises of the national broadcaster, the security forces stormed the building, shot down two of the commandos and freed the hostages” RFI wrote on its website, quoting a statement by the Gabonese Presidency.
Gabonese soldiers stormed the building housing the national broadcaster in the wee hours of Monday and announced the establishment of a National Restoration Council to take over the country.
A few hours into the insurrection, Gabon’s Communication minister, Guy-Bertrand Mapangou claimed the mutineers had been arrested by loyal troops and assured citizens that the situation was under control.
According to RFI, the spokesperson of the Gabonese government is due to hold a press briefing to explain the situation in the capital.
President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who took over from his father Omar (1967 – 2009) after he died, is currently in Morocco where he has been convalescing following a stroke in Riyad, Saudi Arabia on 24 October 2018.