The coup attempt in Gabon earlier Monday has been aborted, the Garbonese government has announced.
A group of soldiers attempted to overthrow ailing President Ali Bongo who is receiving treatment abroad.
Rebellious soldiers had taken over the radio station early Monday to announce an overthrow calling the public to “rise up” and support.
President Ali Bongo has been receiving treatment in Morocco after suffering a stroke last year.
There were gunshots around state broadcasting headquarters in the capital Libreville, around 6:30am and the coup plotters made their announcement.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told AFP: “Calm has returned, the situation is under control.”
Four of the five rebels who gained entrance into the radio station have been rounded off according to reports released by the government spokesman.
“Security forces have been deployed in the capital and will remain there over the coming days in order to maintain order,” he said.
An officer who identified himself as Lieutenant Ondo read the message over the radio.
Lieutenant Ondo Obiang Kelly is the deputy commander of the Republican Guard and head of a previously unknown group, the Patriotic Youth Movement of the Gabonese Defence and Security Forces (MPJFDS).
He announced a “national restoration council” would be formed “to guarantee a democratic transition for the Gabonese people”.
“We cannot abandon our homeland,” the officer said.
“The eagerly-awaited day has arrived when the army has decided to put itself on the side of the people in order to save Gabon from chaos.
“If you are eating, stop; if you are having a drink, stop; if you are sleeping, wake up. Wake up your neighbours… rise up as one and take control of the street,” he said, calling on the people to seize public buildings and airports.
The Bongo family has governed Garbon for over 50 years.
In 2009 Bongo took over from his father Omar, who took office in 1967.
The junior Bongo was elected head of state after his father’s death in 2009 and narrowly re-elected in 2016 in a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.
The African Union has however condemned the coup attempt reaffirming undemocratic change of power on the continent.
