Soldiers in Gabon declare coup after president wins reelection for 3rd term

DAKAR and LONDON -- A group of soldiers declared a coup d'état in Gabon on Wednesday, claiming to have seized power from a president whose family has ruled the oil-rich Central African nation for decades.

The military junta made the announcement on state television hours after Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba won reelection for a third term in a vote that was criticized by international observers. A dozen uniformed soldiers, who introduced themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions, described the election as fraudulent and said the results were "canceled," all borders "closed until further notice" and state institutions "dissolved."

"Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace. Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis," the soldiers said in the televised statement. "In addition, irresponsible, unpredictable governance has led to a steady deterioration in social cohesion, threatening to drive the country into chaos."

"We call for calm and serenity among the population, the communities of sister countries settled in Gabon, and Gabonese living abroad," they added. "We reaffirm our commitment to respecting Gabon's commitments to the national and international community."

The coup leaders said the president was under house arrest in his residence in the Gabonese capital of Libreville. Bongo, 64, became president of Gabon in 2009 following the death of his father, who had ruled since 1967.