China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin on Wednesday, said the country is calling on “all sides” in Gabon to ensure that president Ali Bongo Ondimba is safe, after some military officers staged a coup and threw him out of power.
Wenbin said China was watching the unfolding event closely, and called on all involved to put the country’s interest first by embracing peaceful talk.
In his words:
“China is closely following the developing situation in Gabon,” he said.
“We call on all sides in Gabon to proceed from the basic interests of the country and the people, resolve differences through dialogue, (and) restore normal order as soon as possible,” he added, urging parties to “guarantee the personal safety of President Bongo, and uphold national peace and stability”.
Ousted president Bongo has been in power for a decade and half, following his ascension to power in the year 2009 after his father, Gabon’s second president Omar Bongo Ondimba was confirmed dead in Spain on 8 June 2009.
Omar Bongo Ondimba had ruled the country for 41 years until his death, and his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba has ruled for 14 years and was warming up for a fresh term in office when the August 30 coup happened.
Gabon coup leaders declared the election “cancelled, adding that they were “putting an end to the current regime.”
