Gabon coup: Government says 'situation under control'
A spokesperson for the government of Gabon has said the
political situation in the country is "under control", following an
attempted coup, reported the BBC on Monday.
Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told the BBC that four of the rebels
had been arrested by the authorities. A fifth is on the run.
Junior officers claimed they seized power "to restore
democracy" in oil-rich Gabon, where the ailing leader's family has ruled
for 50 years.
Tanks and armed vehicles could be seen in the capital
Libreville.
The soldiers took control of the national radio station at
04:30 local time (03:30 GMT) to read a short statement announcing a
"National Restoration Council".
Current leader Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as
president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by
violence and accusations of fraud.
