Gabon army launches a coup to ‘oust president Ali Bongo’

Juniors officers say they have seized power in oil-rich Gabon, where the ailing leader's family has ruled for 50 years. Soldiers in the West African country say they launched a coup "to restore democracy".

They took control of the national radio station at 04:30 local time (03:30 GMT) to read a short statement announcing a "National Restoration Council". There were reports of shots being fired in the capital Libreville on Monday.

Reading out a statement, the military officers condemned President Ali Bongo who addressed his compatriots last week from Morocco for the first time since reportedly suffering a stroke in October.

A New Year's address by Bongo "reinforced doubts about the president's ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office", said Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, leader of the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.

"Once again, one time too many, the wielders of power deceptively continue to instrumentalize the person of Ali Bongo Ondimba, a patient devoid of many of his physical and mental faculties," said Obiang.

Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009. He narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.

Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a stroke in October and received treatment in Morocco.

The president posted a video message recorded in Rabat and distributed via social and traditional media last Monday in which he admitted he had been "through a difficult period".

But he added: "Today, as you can see, I am preparing to meet you again soon."

The US military has deployed soldiers and equipment to Gabon amid fears of violent protests in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after its contested presidential election.

US President Donald Trump told US Congress on Friday the first of about 80 troops arrived in Gabon last Wednesday to protect US citizens and diplomatic facilities should violence break out in DRC's capital, Kinshasa.

Bongo was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.

His father, Omar Bongo, ruled Gabon for 42 years before his death in 2009 when Ali Bongo first took power.