The viral “military coup” trend that’s so hot lately in sub-Saharan Africa and other dysfunctional states in the global south has hit Gabon, with a group of soldiers voiding the August 26 election, dissolving the country’s institutions, and possibly arresting President Ali Bongo, who between he and his father, the late Omar Bongo, have ruled the country for 56 years, AFP reports.
Gunshots were heard in the capital city of Libreville, it’s not clear if it was from rogue soldiers firing off celebratory rounds, executing Bongo regime officials, or firing off celebratory rounds into the bodies of Bongo regime officials. The coup started just minutes after the Gabonese election authority announced Bongo had won a third seven-year term with 64 percent of the vote.