Some senior Gabonese military officers announced on Gabonese TV that they have seized power after the electoral commission announced President Ali Bongo had won a third term.

The coupists struck in the early hours of Wednesday, annulling Saturday’s election, which Bongo was declared to have won
Bongo became president of Gabon after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who was President for 42 years until his death in 2009.

Father and son ruled Gabon 56 years from 1967.

One of the sons of the Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba was arrested by the new junta for “treason”.

The ousted president has also been placed under house arrest alongside some of his family members.

“President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors,” they said in a statement read out on state TV.