Gabon, a nation located in West Africa, formerly a French territory, is experiencing intense political upheaval as of September 14 following the events of the recent coup prompted by a rigged election on August 26. 

Leading up to the events of the August coup the country had been under the rule of the Bongo family since 1967.

Over their 56 year long reign, the Bongo Family has been accused of many crimes by the people of the country with many issues stemming from those in power getting rich off of the country’s oil resources which account for 37% of the nation’s revenue.

This wasn’t the first attempt at a coup in the country. There was a failed coup in 2019 spurred by a controversial election taking place in 2016 with many Gabonese people feeling it was rigged.

“Gabonese people and the world can clearly see the fraud, lies and manipulation behind a 99.9% voter turnout in the areas where he ‘won,’” as reported by the Guardian.

Similarly to 2016, during the 2023 election when Ali Bongo attempted to be re-elected for a third term many of the citizens once again felt cheated as he was announced as the winner on the night of August 30.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has since been sworn in as a transitory president with the “re-elected” Ali Bongo placed under house arrest following the coup.