In Gabon: Coup soldiers arrested capital reportedly calm
Reports coming Gabon indicates that the officers behind an apparent coup attempt on early Monday morning have been arrested.
Led by one Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang who led a takeover of the national radio, the soldiers said they had taken over in order to restore democracy in the Central African nation.
Under the banner of the Patriotic Movement of the Defense and Security Forces of Gabon, the leader said the most recent Bongo national address “reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out the responsibilities of his office.”
An online freedom group, Internet Without Borders: which fights for digital rights, against digital repression and oppression, confirmed that there was an internet blackout in the wake of the move.
Reports also indicate that the signal for the national radio had been cut after the address. The military is also said to have fired tear gas at the premises to disperse people who apparently were in support of the attempted coup.
Reuters witness, however, reports that much of the capital, Libreville, remained calm.