Gabon is barred by the Central African bloc

The country’s position threatens regional peace and stability, according to Equatorial Guinea’s president.

In response to the military coup that took place in Gabon last week, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has declared that Gabon’s membership has been suspended.

Following a meeting of regional chiefs of state and government on Monday in neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, where they addressed the political and security situation in Libreville, a decision was made.

According to Anadolu Agency, Tete Antonio, the foreign minister of Angola, informed reporters that the ECCAS “condemned the use of force to resolve political conflicts in Gabon and suspended the country from proceedings.”

The group also stated that Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea, would serve as its chairman, and that it had directed the “immediate temporary” transfer of its offices from Libreville, Gabon, to Malabo.

Mbasogo, who has ruled his nation since 1979, served as vice chairperson until Gabonese President Ali Bongo took up the rotating chairmanship of ECCAS in February.

The leader of Equatorial Guinea said the situation in neighbouring Gabon represented a threat to stability, security, and peace in the Central African area during his speech at the summit on Monday.

“Support the Gabonese people in this difficult time, to return to constitutional order and the functioning of all the organs of the country,” he pleaded with the global and regional community.

General Brice Oligui Nguema took the oath of office as interim president of Gabon earlier on Monday.

On August 30, Nguema overthrew Bongo, preventing him from winning a third term as president. The recently deposed president had been in office for 14 years, taking over for his late father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled from 1967 until his passing in 2009.

The newly installed military leader made the promise of “free, transparent elections” during his inauguration, but he has not yet given a precise timetable.

The ECCAS, however, said that it “gave the transition a deadline of one year to organise elections.”