US confirms coup took place in Gabon, suspends aid

The United States of America’s State Department has officially confirmed that a coup did occur in Gabon. According to US law, this necessitates the termination of non-humanitarian aid.

“Pursuant to section 7008 of the Department of State’s annual appropriations act, the United States is suspending most U.S. assistance to the Government of Gabon,” a statement from the State Department read.

In the wake of this confirmation that a military coup did take place in the Central African nation two months ago, the United States made the announcement that it is cutting off most of its financial aid to the country.

According to the statement, the provision of humanitarian, health, and educational aid to Gabon will persist.

“We underscore that our humanitarian, health, and education assistance will continue to benefit the people of Gabon,” they said.

The statement added that the US will continue to provide its assistance and support to the transitional government as they take concrete actions towards establishing democratic rule.

“The United States reaffirms our commitment to support Gabon in conducting a timely and durable transition to democratic civilian governance and advancing shared security interests in the Gulf of Guinea,” the statement read.

“We will resume our assistance alongside concrete actions by the transitional government toward establishing the democratic rule,” the statement added..

The United States recently announced that it has temporarily halted certain foreign assistance programmes that were providing benefits to the government of Gabon, specifically its military.

In August, General Brice Oligui Nguema led a group of mutinous soldiers who overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba. This happened just as he was being declared the winner of an election that had received widespread criticism.

Gabon’s prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, was appointed by the junta, despite his previous role as an opposition leader.

The military has made a commitment to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. However, they have not yet announced the specific dates for polling.