Gabon Reopens Borders After Military Coup

Borders Reopened in Gabon

Gabon’s military has announced the reopening of the country’s borders, which had been closed following the recent military coup that led to the ousting of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The decision to reopen the land, sea, and air borders was communicated by a spokesperson for Gabon’s military rulers via state television, with immediate effect starting on Saturday.

Coup and Ousting of President Bongo

The coup unfolded when General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of the elite Republican Guard, and fellow officers initiated a coup against President Ali Bongo. This occurred shortly after Bongo, aged 64, had been declared the winner of presidential elections, a result contested by the opposition and deemed fraudulent.

(Read Also: Gabon Reopens Borders Amid Ongoing Coup Turmoil)

Coup Fallout and Transition

In the wake of the coup, the military leaders declared the dissolution of the nation’s institutions, canceled the election results, and initially closed the country’s borders. General Brice Oligui Nguema is set to be sworn in as the “transitional president” on Monday.

(Read Also: Mystery Surrounds Incarceration of Gabon’s Ousted President’s Son: Safety Concerns Arise)

Wider Regional Context

Gabon’s recent coup adds to a series of political upheavals in Africa, with countries like Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Niger also experiencing coups in the past three years. The new leadership in these nations has faced challenges in establishing a clear timetable for returning to civilian rule.