MBABANE:A dozen mutinous soldiers appeared on Gabonese national television, announcing the cancellation of recent election results and the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic”, Aljazeera reported on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday’s announcement came after President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64 was re-elected for a third term, in an election the opposition described as a ‘fraud orchestrated’ by the ruling party.Russia says it is concerned about the situation in Gabon.
“Moscow has received with concern reports of a sharp deterioration in the internal situation in the friendly African country. We continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and hope for its speedy stabilisation,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was closely following the situation.
Russia is looking to build up diplomatic and trade ties with Africa, and President Vladimir Putin hosted African leaders for a summit last month.
ALJAZEERA:Gabon soldiers forcefully seize power, removes President Ali Bongo-Ondimba after disputed elections.