Morocco is closely monitoring developments in Gabon, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Kingdom of Morocco stresses the importance of preserving the stability of this brotherly country and the peace of mind of its people,” the ministry said.
“Morocco trusts the wisdom of the Gabonese nation, its driving forces and its national institutions, to move forward towards a perspective that will enable it to act in the best interests of the country, safeguard the gains made and meet the aspirations of the brotherly Gabonese people,” it added.
Members of the military, united in a Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), announced that they had overthrown the regime of Ali Bongo Ondimba.
In a statement broadcast on public television early on Wednesday morning, the men in fatigues said that the defense and security forces had “decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime”.
The group of officers denounced the way in which the August 26 general elections were organized. “It must be admitted that the organization of the general elections of August 26, 2023 did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon”, they criticized.
The CTRI therefore decided to cancel the election, the results of which were announced on Tuesday night, giving victory to the outgoing president Ali Bongo Ondimba.
The putschists then dissolved all Gabonese institutions, including the Government, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the Gabonese Elections Council. They also decided to close the country’s borders until further notice.
Earlier today, the provisional results of the presidential election gave victory to Ali Bongo Ondimba Ali Bongo with a score of 64.27% against 30.77% for Albert Ondo Ossa, his main challenger. The Conseil Gabonais des Élections announced a turnout of 56%.
HA/lb/abj/APA