Gabon military seizes national radio station in coup attempt

Military officers in Gabon early Monday morning seized the national radio station in an apparent coup attempt.

According to BBC, the officers read a statement on the radio station announcing a “National Restoration Council”.

The soldiers, while condemning President Ali Bongo’s New Year’s speech, alluded their coup attempt as a plot “to restore democracy”.

President Bongo, who rose to the country’s top seat in 2009, was reported ill towards late last year and received treatment in Morocco.

He, however, sought to put an end to the rumours about his health with a New Year message saying he was fine.

But, according to the military officers, the message was “a pitiful sight” and a “relentless attempt to cling onto power.”

International media outlets also reported tanks and armed vehicles on the streets of the capital Libreville for the better part of Monday morning.