Current:Home > reviewsGabon's coup leaders say ousted president is 'freed' and can travel on a medical trip -Quantum Capital Pro
Gabon's coup leaders say ousted president is 'freed' and can travel on a medical trip
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:24:47
LONDON -- Gabon's ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been released from house arrest a week after a group of mutinous soldiers seized power.
The country's new military leaders, who call themselves the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), announced on state television Wednesday evening that, "given his state of health," Bongo "is free to move about" and "travel abroad for medical check-ups."
Bongo's condition was not immediately clear. Video shared on social media by local TV channel Gabon24 on Wednesday showed the 64-year-old deposed president limping as he met with Abdou Barry, head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa.
MORE: Soldiers in Gabon declare coup after president wins reelection for 3rd term
The military junta delcared a coup d'état on Aug. 30 hours after Bongo won reelection for a third term in a vote that was criticized by international observers. The coup leaders described the election as fraudulent and said the results were "canceled," all borders "closed until further notice" and state institutions "dissolved." They also announced that the president was under house arrest in his residence in the Gabonese capital of Libreville.
Bongo, 64, became president of Gabon in 2009 following the death of his father, who had ruled the oil-rich Central African nation since 1967.
MORE: US expresses 'growing concern' for safety of Niger's president amid apparent coup
The junta has since appointed Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema as chairman of the CTRI and president of the transitional government. Nguema met with local and regional officials earlier this week, pledging to improve infrastructure and shepherd the country through a peaceful transition back to civilian rule.
Gabon's coup marked the eighth to occur in West and Central Africa since 2020. It came about a month after a military junta in Niger ousted the West African nation's democratically elected government.
Gabon, home to more than 2 million people, is located on the western coast of Central Africa, sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. The country is a member of OPEC, with a production of 181,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
veryGood! (7412)
Related
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- 'Never Have I Ever' is the show we wish we had in high school
- In a climate rife with hate, Elliot Page says 'the time felt right' to tell his story
- Françoise Gilot, the famed artist who loved and then left Picasso, is dead at 101
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- TikToker Elyse Myers Is Pregnant With Baby No. 2
- 'Of course we should be here': 'Flower Moon' receives a 9-minute ovation at Cannes
- Ariana DeBose Speaks Out About Viral BAFTAs Rap in First Interview Since Awards Show
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- The Goldbergs Is Ending After a Decade of '80s Nostalgia
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Ariana DeBose Pokes Fun at Her Viral Rap at SAG Awards 2023
- Little Richard Documentary celebrates the talent — and mystery — of a legend
- Mary Trump, E. Jean Carroll and Jennifer Taub launch romance novel on Substack
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- 'The Little Mermaid' is the latest of Disney's poor unfortunate remakes
- The 47 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month
- Perfect Match's Francesca Farago Says She Bawled Her Eyes Out After Being Blindsided By Rules
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Wanda Sykes stands in solidarity with Hollywood writers: 'We can't back down'
Two new novels illustrate just how hard it is to find a foothold in America
Tony Awards have gendered actor categories — where do nonbinary people fit?
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Shop the Best New February 2023 Beauty Launches From Tower 28, KS&CO, Glossier & More
Couple sentenced in Spain after 1.6 million euro wine heist at Michelin-starred restaurant
Ukraine says if Russia tries to invade from Belarus again, this time, it's ready - with presents