African Union announces: suspension of Gabon's membership
On the evening of August 31st, the African Union issued a statement condemning Gabon's recent military coup and decided to suspend Gabon's membership as an African Union member state.
The statement stated that the African Union Peace and Security Council held a meeting on the same day to discuss the latest situation in Gabon and decided to immediately suspend the country's eligibility to participate in all activities of the African Union and related institutions until the country resumes normal constitutional order.
In its statement, the African Union Peace and Security Council called for the immediate release and protection of the safety and human rights of President Bongo, his family, and other relevant government personnel. It also demanded that the military immediately return to military camps, unconditionally return power to civilian authorities, and adhere to constitutional authorization and principles.
The African Union Peace and Security Council urges the country's military not to interfere in the political process in Gabon, otherwise the African Union will take necessary measures, including targeted sanctions against those who launched the coup.
On the early morning of August 30th, the Gabonese Election Center announced that President Bongo was re elected with 64.27% of the vote in the presidential election held on the 26th. Subsequently, more than ten military personnel issued a statement on Gabon's 24 television station under the name of the "Institutional Transition and Restoration Committee", claiming that the election results were invalid and that they had taken power, dissolved state institutions, and closed the country's borders. After the Institutional Transition and Restoration Committee issued a statement on national television, Bongo was placed under house arrest, and his son and several high-ranking officials from the Presidential Office were arrested.
On the afternoon of August 31st, Gabon's spokesperson for the Institutional Transition and Restoration Commission, Manfuby, announced on national television that the chairman of the commission, Brice Oliji Nguema, will be sworn in as the transitional leader at the Presidential Palace on September 4th.