Gabon’s military seizes power.

A number of top Gabonese military officers emerged on national television announcing that they have seized control, claiming that the previous general election was fraudulent, and claiming to represent all of Gabon’s security and defence forces.

They claimed that the election results had been cancelled, that all borders had been blocked until further notice, and that state institutions had been abolished. Following the televised appearance, Reuters reported hearing loud gunfire in the capital, Libreville.

It was not feasible to approach the government for comment right away.

“In the name of the Gabonese people… we have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers declared on television.

Gabon’s incumbent president, Ali Bongo, won a third term with 64.27% of the vote in the presidential election, the Gabonese election centre announced on Wednesday, following a delayed general election that the opposition called fraudulent.