Gabon reopens its borders.

Gabonese soldiers gathered in the capital Libreville on September 2nd.

AFP reported on September 2nd that the Gabonese army said it would reopen the border, which had been sealed after the military coup that overthrew former President Ali Bongo.

A spokesman for the ruling military in this Central African nation announced that they had made "a decision, effective immediately, to reopen land, sea, and air borders" on September 2.

On August 30, a group of 12 Gabonese officers announced they would close the border until further notice.

Earlier that day, General Brice Oligui Nguema, leading the Gabonese Republican Guard, led a coup to overthrow Ali Bongo, a member of the ruling family that had been in power for 55 years.

The coup took place after Bongo (64 years old) won the presidential election on August 26, which the opposition accused of being fraudulent. The group of officers announced on television their intention to take over power and end Ali Bongo's government.

Mr. Oligui said that President Ali Bongo "has been allowed to retire." "He has all the rights. He is an ordinary Gabonese citizen like everyone else," Mr. Oligui stated.

In a video broadcast on state television, Oligui was lifted into the air by hundreds of soldiers who shouted, "Oligui, president!"

Oligui is scheduled to be sworn in as "transitional president" on September 4th. Prior to this, five other African countries – Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Niger – have experienced coups within the past three years.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/gabon-mo-cua-bien-gioi-tro-lai-185230902220453683.htm