The group of Gabon Military Officers, members of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), have released a statement after ousting President Ali Bongo.
The Gabonese officers made the announcement on national Television on Wednesday morning, a few moments after the Gabonese Election Centre (CGE) announced the election results that were marred by delays.
Bongo’s victory marks his third term in office as Gabon’s President in his bid to extend his family’s power grip beyond 55 years.
In the Television broadcast, the Gabon military officers announced that they were “putting an end to the regime” of Ali Bongo.
They declared the elections cancelled, closed the nation’s borders, and dissolved all state institutions.
The statement released in French was read out by one of the officers on the Gabon 24 television channel:
“Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic, and social crisis.
“We are therefore forced to admit that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible, and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.
“Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.
Today, August 30, 2023, we—the defence and security forces, gathered as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions’ protection — have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.
“To this end, the general elections of August 26, 2023, and the truncated results are cancelled.
“The borders are closed until further notice.
“All the institutions of the Republic are dissolved: the government, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council, and the Gabonese Elections Centre.
“We call for calm and serenity from the public, the communities of sister countries settled in Gabon, and the Gabonese diaspora.
“We reaffirm our commitment to respecting Gabon’s commitments to the national and international community.
“People of Gabon, we are finally on the road to happiness.
“May God and the spirits of our ancestors bless Gabon. Honour and loyalty to our homeland.
“Thank you.”