African Union says to 'immediately suspend' Gabon after coup
Friday September 01 2023
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat. PHOTO | AFP
The African Union's Peace and Security Council said Thursday it had decided to "immediately suspend" Gabon following the military coup this week.
The body said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that it "strongly condemns the military takeover of power in the Republic of Gabon which ousted President Ali Bongo on August 30, 2023".
It decided to immediately suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of the AU, its organs and institutions until the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
1/2) Council strongly condemns the military takeover of power in the Republic of #Gabon which ousted President Ali Bongo @PresidentABO on 30 August 2023; Decides to immediately suspend the participation of #Gabon in all activities of the #AU, its organs and institutions.. pic.twitter.com/xQVmTyFrWR
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) August 31, 2023
The announcement came after a meeting of the council on the situation in Gabon following Wednesday's coup that followed disputed elections in which Bongo was declared the winner.
Read: Gabon soldiers say election result cancelled, 'regime' ended
It said the meeting was chaired by AU commissioner for political affairs Bankole Adeoye of Nigeria and the current holder of the council's rotating chair, Burundi's Willy Nyamitwe.