Military in Gabon declares the “end of the current regime” – AFP

The sound of gunshots has been heard in Libreville’s main city, according to French media.

After longstanding leader Ali Bongo was declared the victor of last week’s presidential election, a group of uniformed Gabonese soldiers came on national television to announce the dissolution of all state institutions and the cancellation of the nation’s contentious elections.

The soldiers claimed to speak on behalf of the “Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions” and gave a live speech early on Wednesday morning in which they pledged to “defend peace by putting an end to the current regime,” according to AFP.

President Ali Bongo’s “irresponsible, unpredictable governance,” according to a group spokesman, has deteriorated societal cohesion and run the risk of throwing the country into disarray during his 14 years in government.

Following the speech, AFP correspondents also heard gunfire in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, though it is unknown whether there were any ongoing fights.

According to the Gabonese Elections Centre, Bongo defeated his main competitor Albert Ondo Ossa by a significant majority in the most recent presidential election, taking home more than 64% of the vote in a single round of voting. The military attempted a second coup against Bongo in 2019, when armed military personnel abducted hostages and declared the formation of a similar “National Restoration Council” to “restore democracy in Gabon.” However, the revolt was promptly put down with only a few casualties.