Order restored after attempted coup in Gabon

On January 7, 2019, five rebels in the west African nation of Gabon attempted a hostile takeover in Libreville – the capital of Gabon. The five rebels were Gabonese Army soldiers. The coup attempt occurred at the national radio station. In a statement made while seizing power of the radio station, the insurgents called for a “National Restoration Council.” The rebels argued for other soldiers to seize control of Gabon’s airports, transportation systems, and weapons depots. The coup attempt was thwarted and two of the rebel soldiers were killed.

Gabon, a former French colony, is a major producer of oil. Since 1960, Gabon has had only three presidents. Approximately 1/3rd of Gabonese citizens live in poverty. In 2009 Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba — the current president of Gabon, succeeded his father Omar Bongo as head of state. Omar Bongo spent 41 years in office, winning seven consecutive terms. President Ali Bongo’s time in office has been marred by a French government investigation into alleged embezzlement and fraud.

In 2019, US president Donald J. Trump deployed 80 soldiers to Gabon to protect American citizens because of potential violent protests after the presidential election in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a letter written to US Congress, president Trump wrote: “Additional forces may deploy to Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the Republic of the Congo, if necessary for these purposes. These deployed personnel will remain in the region until the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo becomes such that their presence is no longer needed.”

Facts about Gabon:

Population: 2.2 million (July 2020 est.)
Land Area: 267,667 sq km (slightly smaller than Colorado)
Capital: Libreville
Major Language: French (official)
GDP per capita: $18,100 (July 2017 est.)

Sources:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/attachments/summaries/GB-summary.pdf
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/04/politics/us-troops-gabon/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13376333


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