President Bola Tinubu has responded to the recent coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo was ousted and put under house arrest. Tinubu emphasized the importance of preserving the rule of law in Africa. The coup was allegedly driven by military personnel who pointed to flaws in Gabon's recent general election. These officers acknowledged that the election held on August 26, 2023, did not meet the standards for a fair, transparent, and inclusive ballot as desired by the Gabonese people. They also cited issues of unstable governance contributing to worsening social cohesion and the potential for chaos.
Representing President Tinubu, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed the administration's deep concern regarding the rise of autocratic tendencies across various regions of the continent. Tinubu, who has personally sacrificed for democracy, firmly believes that power should reside with Africa's citizens rather than through forceful means.
Ngelale added that Tinubu reaffirmed the significance of upholding the rule of law and resorting to constitutional resolutions and electoral dispute mechanisms to prevent their erosion on the continent. President Tinubu is actively engaged with other African leaders within the African Union to establish a collective approach in addressing the Gabon crisis and the increasing spread of autocracy across Africa.
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