Gabon’s ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba has appealed for help, hours after he was put under house arrest by members of his presidential guard in an ongoing coup attempt.
Bongo, who confirmed his arrest in a video circulating on social media, called on calls on citizens to “make noise” after the coup attempt.
However, people are out in the streets of the Gabonese capital Libreville to celebrate the coup and waving flags.
Meanwhile, the head of the coup Brice Oligui Nguema says Ali Bongo will “enjoy all his rights” after the military announced it has placed him under house arrest.
The coup plotters who introduced themselves as members of the “Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions”, say they are taking over power due to last weekend’s elections, as “the polls lack credibility“.
Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the election for a third term in office. He assumed power in 2009, taking over from his father, Omar Bongo who had ruled since 1967.
