Gabonese President Ali Bongo, speaking from apparent house arrest on Wednesday, asked the international community to "make noise" to support him and his family in a video shared widely online after military officers declared they had seized power.
The video was confirmed as authentic by BTP Advisors, a PR firm that has worked closely with Bongo on his election campaign.
"The people here have arrested me and my family. My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place ... Right now, I’m at the residence and nothing is happening. I don’t know what’s going on," Bongo said in English, addressing the camera from a chair in what looked like a richly furnished state room.
"I (want) to send a message to all the friends we have all over the world to tell them to make noise."
He was smartly dressed and showed no outward signs of mistreatment. He spoke calmly, pausing occasionally as if searching for the right words to convey the urgency of his message.
Military officers announced on national television earlier that the armed forces had taken control and placed Bongo under house arrest. His son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and others had also been arrested, the officers said.
If successful, the Gabon coup would be the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020 and end the Bongo family's 56-year grip on power. It follows Saturday's disputed election, whose results, including Bongo's announced victory, the military officers said had been annulled.
Latest Stories
-
Samson’s Take: Arrogance of Power, Shameful Policing
24 mins -
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
3 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
3 hours -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
3 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
3 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
4 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
4 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
5 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
5 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
6 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
6 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
6 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
6 hours -
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
7 hours