The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) met on Wednesday for its 821st meeting, after which it released a statement condemning the Monday’s attempt, which occurred as President Ali Bongo Ondimba recuperates in Morocco after medical treatment.
“Council reaffirmed the total rejection by the AU of any Unconstitutional change of Government, in conformity with the Lomé Declaration of July 2000, the Constitutive Act and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,” a statement from the AUPSC read in part.
Five soldiers were arrested following the coup attempt, in which they had taken over a national radio and called for their fellow soldiers to rise against the government. Two were killed in a raid by loyal government troops.
AUPSC also urged authorities in the Central African country to respect the Constitution in handling the matter.
“Council recalled the imperative need for all the Gabonese stakeholders to scrupulously respect the provisions of the Gabonese Constitution and to exercise utmost restraint in order to take up the challenges facing the deepening of democracy in their country.”
