The United States, on Wednesday, reacted to the coup in Gabon, which saw democratically elected President, Ali Bongo removed from power by the military.
We had earlier reported that Bongo was removed from office by some senior military officers days after he was elected for a third term in office.
Giving reasons for their action, the coup leaders said serious institutional, political, economic and social crises were factors responsible for the coup that they tagged, ‘necessary’ for the progress of the West African country.
The coup leaders dissolved all the democratic institutions in the country and also closed the country’s borders until further notice.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, White House National Security spokesman, John Kirby, said the U.S. government is closely watching the situation in Gabon.
Kirby added that the Joe Biden-led administration is deeply concerned about the situation in Gabon and other West African countries.
He said: “It’s deeply concerning. We were going to watch this closely, and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to support the idea of democratic ideals that the African people express.
“It’s too soon to call this a trend.
“It’s obviously deeply concerning here, yet another country where military officers have taken these dangerous and reckless steps, and attempted takeovers of democratically elected governments.”
