The military announcing the seizure of power in Gabon. Screenshot from the Gabon24 YouTube channel. Fair use. After rejecting the outcome of Gabon's general elections (presidential, legislative, and local) held on August 26, 2023, military officers have seized power, thus bringing an end to the Bongo family's 55-year reign. Omar Bongo was president from 1967 to 2009, and his son Ali Bongo was president from 2009 to 2023. From the outset, these elections were criticized for new electoral laws and measures facilitating fraud and Ali Bongo's reelection for a third term. The election results were declared first thing on August 30, 2023. According to the Gabonese Election Centre (CGE), former president, Ali Bongo, won with 64.27 percent of the vote against opposition candidate for the Alternance 2023 Platform, Albert Ondo Ossa, who came second with just 30.77 percent. On Gabon 1ère, a Gabonese national television station broadcast by France 24, the CGE Chairman, Michel Stéphane Bonda, declared: Ali Bongo a battu, dans un scrutin à un seul tour, son principal rival Albert Ondo Ossa, qui n'a recueilli que 30,77 % des voix, ainsi que 12 autres candidats qui n'ont récolté que des miettes. Au terme de la centralisation des résultats (…) est élu Bongo Ondimba Ali avec 293 919 voix soit 64,27 %”. Le taux de participation a été de 56,65 %. In a single round of voting, Ali Bongo beat his main rival, Albert Onda Ossa, who only received 30.77 percent of the vote. Twelve other candidates picked up the remaining votes. Once the results were tallied (…) Ali Bongo was elected with 293,919 votes, which equates to 64.27 percent. There was also a voter turnout of 56.65 percent. Before most Gabonese citizens found out the results confirming Bongo's reelection, military officers from the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), stormed the CGE premises, thus forcing Bonda to suspend the announcement of Bongo's victory. The election annulment, dissolution of State institutions and border closures were later announced publicly, as can be seen on this Guardian video on YouTube: Military officers stated they were exercising their responsibilities towards the people and acting to prevent a crisis like that of 2016, when Ali Bongo was reelected for a second term. At that time, when Bongo faced opposition candidate Jean Ping, post-electoral violence left 3 dead and 105 injured, according to government figures. General Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, who heads the CTRI, is the country's new leader, as announced by news outlet, LSI Africa: 🚨🇬🇦Le général Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, formé à l’académie royale militaire de Meknès au Maroc, est le nouvel homme fort du #Gabon. pic.twitter.com/eO4yvIkcpB — LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) August 30, 2023 🚨🇬🇦General Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, who trained at the Meknes Royal Military Academy in Morocco, is Gabon's new leader. pic.twitter.com/eO4yvIkcpB — LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) August 30, 2023 The coup appears to have gained the support of some of the country's population, with some X (formerly Twitter) users even noting scenes of joy and jubilation: Les Gabonais sont en joie🇬🇦 #Gabon2023 pic.twitter.com/dqgikLLCeP — Lukeni (@Kemou_kongo) August 30, 2023 Gabonese citizens are in high spirits🇬🇦 #Gabon2023 pic.twitter.com/dqgikLLCeP — Lukeni (@Kemou_kongo) August 30, 2023 A Gabonese journalist, contacted by Global Voices on WhatsApp, who would like to remain anonymous, explains: Je pense que le coup d’État a été soigneusement et minutieusement préparé. Nous avons constaté qu'il n'y a pas eu de contestations dans les rangs des corps habillés, ce qui veut dire qu'ils se sont mis d'accord avant d'agir. Ils dénoncent des fraudes et des résultats non conformes au désir de la population. Les militaires sensibilisent les populations à garder le calme. Quant aux opposants, ils sont gardés en sécurité. I believe this coup d'état was carefully and meticulously planned. This was not challenged within the armed forces, which means they agreed before acting. They criticize the fraud and results that don't meet the public's wishes. The military is urging the public to remain calm and opponents are being protected. While the CTRI announced the dissolution of state institutions, another statement was released on the arrest of some members of the president's inner circle. Global news agency Agence France Presse posted a YouTube video showing Ali Bongo being arrested and put under house arrest by the military. Media specialist, Jean-Pierre Ekanga, also tweeted a video of Ali Bongo appealing for help: GABON : LE PRÉDISENT ÉLU-DECHU DONNE DE LA VOIX.. Je suis Ali Bongo Odimba, Président du Gabon. Je voudrais envoyer un message à tous nos amis à travers le monde.