In the wake of a coup d'état announcement, Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed under house arrest, with military officers confirming the detention of one of his sons on charges of "treason."

This development comes in the aftermath of the military officers' government takeover, as disclosed earlier.

State TV broadcasted a statement by the military officers who revealed that President Ali Bongo is currently confined to his residence, accompanied by his family and medical professionals. This revelation highlights a significant shift in the political landscape of Gabon.

The military officers, operating under the banner of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, had earlier taken to national television to explain their rationale for seizing power from President Ali Bongo. They pointed to a series of profound crises in institutions, politics, economics, and society, asserting that the coup was deemed "necessary" to facilitate progress for the West African nation.

In a translated excerpt from their nationwide address originally delivered in French, the junta emphasised, "Our beautiful country, Gabon, has always been a haven of peace. However, today, the country faces a grave institutional, political, economic, and social crisis. As a result, the general elections held on August 26, 2023, along with the incomplete results, are invalidated. The nation's borders have been temporarily closed."

This development marks a pivotal moment in Gabon's history, with events poised to reshape the nation's trajectory. More details....