When leading military figures in Gabon announced on August 30 that they had placed President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest in a bid to remove him from power after 14 years, thousands of Gabonese took to the streets to demonstrate their support for the military. Videos show demonstrators singing the national anthem and celebrating the military, as the head of the Republican Guard was carried away in triumph by his men. FRANCE 24's Observers in Gabon told us how they feel: some are enthusiastic while others are much more wary of the military's intentions.
Shortly after the presidential election results were announced in Gabon the night of August 29 – showing Ali Bongo re-elected for a third term – military officers appeared on television to announce that a coup was under way. They appeared on the Gabon 24 channel, itself affiliated with the Gabonese presidency.
