Commonwealth Partially Suspends Gabon after Coup

Gabon has been partially suspended from the commonwealth after military commanders carried out a coup ousting president Ali Bongo.

The decision was made by commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Foreign Ministers sitting as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group have requested Gabon guarantee Mr. Bongo’s safety and that of his family.

It excludes Gabon from all commonwealth intergovernmental meetings and events, including ministerial and heads of government meetings

Leaders called on Gabon to uphold the values and principles of the commonwealth and to hold credible elections as soon as possible.

Gabon’s military ousted Mr. Bongo from power shortly after he was declared winner of the 2023 presidential election.

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Mr. Bongo had been in power in the oil-rich country since 2009, when he succeeded his father who had ruled the country for 41 years.

Commonwealth Ministers gave the new leaders of Gabon two years from 30 august 2023 to hold credible elections.

They also urged the Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, to continue her Good Offices engagement with Gabon, including providing technical assistance, with a view to redressing the situation and facilitating Gabon’s return to democracy.

“The Group called upon Gabon as a Commonwealth member, to uphold the values and principles of the Commonwealth and to hold credible elections as soon as possible and within a maximum of two years from 30 August 2023,” the statement said.

“The Group called upon Gabon to guarantee the personal integrity, safety, health and human rights of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, his family members and members of his Government.”