In an interview with CNN Brazil a Brazilian who lives in Gabon reported that the atmosphere there is festive after the military staged a coup and overthrew the family that had controlled the country since the 1960s.
The man, who declined to be identified for security reasons, said that the atmosphere in the country had been tense since Saturday (26), when voters went to the polls to elect the president.
Voting took place normally, but after the polls closed, the internet was cut off and a government-imposed curfew raised suspicions about the transparency of the electoral process.
“I woke up this Wednesday morning [30] with the sound of gunshots and bombs in the streets here in the capital Libreville. Shortly afterwards, a friend told me that the military announced the seizure of power in a televised address. Then the internet was back up and running,” he said.
The military promise a quick return to normality, with companies being instructed to resume activities starting tomorrow.
“Despite the climate of uncertainty regarding the economic area and banking services, we see a sense of relief and people celebrating in the streets. It’s a happy mood. I’m more relaxed, for now, ”she said.
Historic
Officers of the Armed Forces of Gabon They said they had seized power on Wednesday and placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest after the country’s central African electoral body announced that he had won a third term.
In an overnight television announcement, senior officials declared that the election results had been cancelled, borders had been closed and state institutions dissolved. They said they represented all security and defense forces in the Gabon.
Hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Libreville to celebrate the morning after the overnight announcement, which appeared to have been filmed from the presidential palace, according to television footage.
In another statement read on national television, military officials said they had detained Bongo, who in 2009 took over from his father, Omar, who ruled the Gabon since 1967. Opponents say the family has done little to share the country’s oil and mining wealth with its 2.3 million people.
There was no immediate comment from the government of Gabon.
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(With information from Reuters)
Source: CNN Brasil
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