The White House is expressing "concern" following a military coup in Central Africa.
The president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, was deposed and placed under house arrest Wednesday, hours after winning an election that the Biden administration said showed signs of "irregularities."
The country's new leaders declared a junta on state television - accusing Bongo of corruption, embezzlement and misgovernment.
A former colony of France located on the western coast of Central Africa, Gabon has been ruled by Bongo and his father since 1967.
There were scenes of jubilation in the streets of Libreville, the country's capital, after the news of Bongo's overthrow.
Gabon Military Celebration! 🇬🇦
Gabon military officers celebrate a successful coup against the nation's corrupt globalist pawn former government.
Be True to Yourself! 💪🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/UVGcDCBix3
— James Porrazzo (@JamesPorrazzo) August 30, 2023
Bongo had pleaded with the people to "make noise" in a video filmed from his home.
It’s so satisfying to watch dictators turning into activists when they are deposed😂. Ali Bongo is calling “you” to make noise after his family and him have been silencing the people of #Gabon for the past 57 years. pic.twitter.com/b7I6euo15F
— Farida Bemba Nabourema (@Farida_N) August 30, 2023
In a televised statement, military leaders declared the election null and void and accused Bongo of "irresponsible, unpredictable governance" leading to disunity and chaos. They also blasted Bongo and his family for embezzling funds in the oil-rich country.
The coup leaders declared Gabon's borders closed and all government institutions dissolved.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, twelve army officers appeared on national television to announce they had cancelled Gabon's elections, dissolved all state institutions and closed the country’s borders. Here's their announcement. pic.twitter.com/vL9RUlaM8N
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 30, 2023
The Biden administration - which is currently trying to jail its chief political opponent - raised concern about the "unconstitutional transfer of power" unfolding in Africa.
“The United States is deeply concerned by evolving events in Gabon. We remain strongly opposed to military seizures or unconstitutional transfers of power,” the State Department said.
The irony doesn't stop there. The Biden regime also acknowledged "the lack of transparency and reports of irregularities surrounding the election."
The Pentagon's John Kirby said the U.S. would continue to support "democracy" throughout the historically unstable African continent.
"We're going to watch this closely," Kirby added, "and we're going to continue to do everything we can to support the ideals, the democratic ideals that are expressed ... by African people throughout the continent. That's going to be our focus."
