Audio By Carbonatix
Gabon's president has called on "friends all over the world" to "make noise" over the coup in the country, in a clip that's been circulating on social media.
Sitting in what he says is his residence - in a grand room complete with wood-panelled walls, ornate carpets and leather-bound books - Ali Bongo says: "My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place.
"Nothing is happening. I don't know what is going on."
He again urges his "friends" to speak up, before thanking them.
A communications company that was working for the presidency during the election has been in contact with the BBC to confirm the authenticity of the footage. It has been asked by Bongo's office to circulate the video.
Notably, Bongo speaks in English. The official language of Gabon - a former French territory, from which it gained independence in 1960 - is French.
Latest Stories
-
Use chiefs to stop disputes from flooding Ghana’s courts – Deputy AG to governing council of ADR
6 minutes -
Four arrested as police bust alleged kidnapping, torture and extortion syndicate
8 minutes -
NPA increases price floor from September 16; petrol to sell at GH¢16, diesel at GH¢16.77
29 minutes -
OMJ fufils BECEPIP schorlaship promise, awards 12 learners
34 minutes -
Photos: GAF hands over 175.6km right-of-way for Accra-Kumasi Expressway construction to gov’t
36 minutes -
Accra-Kumasi Expressway to be operated and maintained for 50 years through toll revenue
39 minutes -
LGA holds Landmark Conference, AGM and Elections as the Committee on Politics and Elections emerges as the Overall Best Committee for 2025/2026.
42 minutes -
JSALK Beverages pays medical bills of struggling nursing mothers at Nkawie-Toase Hospital
46 minutes -
Accra-Kumasi Expressway to be operated as business to recover taxpayers’ investment – CEO
52 minutes -
UNFPA calls for presidential intervention as maternal deaths reach crisis levels
58 minutes -
Space reserved along Accra-Kumasi Expressway for railway line – Mahama
1 hour -
Ashaiman’s deplorable roads: How long must residents wait?
1 hour -
Elevate Africa Summit to push AfCFTA toward fully functional markets
1 hour -
The search for clean water has failed — so can Nanton Zuo save the water source it already has?
1 hour -
Accra-Kumasi Expressway construction expected to begin in January 2027 – CEO
1 hour