Gabon's Military Coup : African Union suspension and Business

Coup d'état in Gabon

What is going on in Gabon, Africa?

There is an ongoing coup d'état in Gabon.  On August 30, 2023, a coup d'état led  by the head of the Gabonese presidential guard who happens to be the cousin of Ali Bongo Based on reports,  president of Gabon is under  house arrest and the  borders  of Gabon closed.  The Gabon military coup leader is General Brice Oligui Nguema. 

 A group of military men appear on national television   after  the president was announced as the winner of the Gabon presidential election 2023 for the third time. This election was heavily criticized by international observers and the Gabonese population, as they can be seen in jubilation when the Junta took power.  Thus, the coup d'état in Gabon is as a result of the  2023 presidential election  not favoring the opposition.  

These group of soldiers consider the elections as fraudulent  and said the results have been council. A transition council led by the military had been set up.  State institutions in Gabon are no longer functional till further notice.  

Several videos have surfaced on the internet. Some of them include the video of the president calling on the population and international community for help with the viral phrase '' Make some noise''. We have equally seen videos of the transition government searching a house with money in bags.  Among the videos include a video with the military and population hailing the  declared transitional president 

Before the coup d'état in Gabon  and Internet Suspension in Gabon

The Gabonese government  suspended internet access on Saturday the 26th of August 2023 evening after the general elections. The reason for this according to the minister of communication was to  avoid spreading of force information and to avoid violence. 

About 850,000 voters participated in the election  which was a 3 in one election ; presidential, legislative and local. Gabon has a population of about 2.3 million,  with an internet penetration of about 62%.  The land and sea border were closed on the 24th of August 2023 for the same reasons. 

Such moves created tension and rather called for attention, which has led to the  coup d'état. 

African Union suspends Gabon's Membership after Military Coup

Reports reaching us says the African Union has suspended Gabon as member of the African Union with immediate effect.

The chairman of the   African Union commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat  has condemned  the coup d'état in Gabon.  On Thursday 31st of August 2023 announced the suspension of the Gabon. 

The coup d'état in Gabon is the 8th in West and Central Africa since 2020 and the second in 2023 after the Niger Coup d'état. The countries that have been involved in coup d'état since 2020 include Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger.

Business in Gabon Now 

Gabon is a Central African country that does business with neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Congo and  other countries in the CEMAC region.  Gabon has a minimum wage of 150 000 (About $250). Gabon is one of the richest country in Africa that produces oil.  Gabon has a GDP of  20.22 billion USD (2021). 

At the moment, the movement of goods  in and out of Gabon is almost impossible, following the  borders being closed. 

Internet connectivity has been restored, meaning online transactions can be done in Gabon with ease. 

Business activities are done more internally, and we are looking for better days ahead. 

Who is the new leader of Gabon?

 As we are updating this post,  the new leader is Brice Oligui Nguema, who  leads the coup d'état and equally acts as the transitional president.