MilitaryGabonese army officers, under the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions Unit, announced on national television why they are taking over power from President Ali Bongo in the country on Wednesday morning, August 30, 2023.

The Military officers spotlighted the serious decay in the institutional, political, economic, and social crises ravaging the West African country as some of the factors responsible for the coup which they tagged, ‘necessary’ for the progress of Gabon.

In a nationwide address rendered in French and translated to English by AFP, the junta said, “Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis.

“We are therefore forced to admit that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible, and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.

“Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.

“Today, 30 August 2023, we, the defence and security forces, gathered as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions’ protection — have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime.”