EU rejects military takeover in Gabon

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday rejected the military takeover in Gabon, and called on all actors to resolve the conflict by respecting democracy.

“The EU rejects any seizure of power by force in Gabon and calls on all actors to exercise restraint,” Borrell said in a statement released on behalf of the European Union.

Borrell acknowledged that the EU “shares serious concerns” about the elections that preceded the military coup but urged “inclusive and substantive dialogue” to solve the conflict.

The challenges “must be resolved by respecting rule of law, constitutional order and democracy” as Gabon’s “peace and prosperity, as well as regional stability, depend on it,” he asserted.

A group of high-ranking Gabonese military officers on Wednesday said they had seized power, and annulled results of the recently held general elections that granted a third term to President Ali Bongo.

Gabon is the latest country in Africa to experience a military takeover after members of Niger’s military seized power late last month.