'Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb' - Reactions to Gabon coup; the eighth in former French colonies in the past three years

Mixed reactions have trailed the military takeover in Gabon.

Dr. Nonsky with the handle @dr_nonsky in his reaction wrote: "Africa is rising!" after some military officers overthrew President Ali Bongo of Gabon, ending the Bongo family’s 53-year control of political power in the country.

In a national broadcast, 12 soldiers announced the ouster of Mr Bongo.

The conversation has picked up on various social media platforms with users attempting to identify the cause of the coups and the solution.

As the conversation continues to trend, a user with the handle on his verified handle @OgechukwuChime blamed the Africa Union (AU) and the regional body ECOWAS for the spat of coups that has plagued the continent.

"AU and ECOWAS should be ashamed of themselves. They only act on their personal interests. The wave of coup will continue to spread until they start condemning tenure elongation, election rigging, sit tight syndrome. Let me see the reaction of US, France etc," he wrote.

The coupists describe themselves as the “Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions.”

“In the name of the Gabonese people… we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the coup plotters declared, dissolving the electoral body, national assembly and constitutional court.

Mr Bongo took over power in 2009 after his father, Omar Bongo, died.

Though he suffered a stroke in 2018, sparking calls for him to step down, Mr Bongo held on to power, conducting another election and was declared winner on Saturday.

This will be the eighth coup in former French colonies in Africa in the past three years.

See more reactions

8 coups across Africa in recent years? Africa Presidents now see themselves as monarch. Democracy in Africa has become family business, chop make I chop.

— Nathaniel Osagie (@gistsstack) August 30, 2023

I don’t support the coup, but do they manage to be in power for 53yrs, men That’s modernised slavery

— Berlin (@Berlinxm) August 30, 2023

Africa revolution . Nigeria is sitting on a timing bomb ????. It’s getting closer to their doorsteps.

— OMO BABA TEACHER (@FESTUSSMART5) August 30, 2023

Another former French colony.

France will keep mute while public officers abuse the electoral process but they will suddenly become outspoken when Military officers take over.

From Niger to Gabon… let’s see what Macron will do this time…

— #30 (@jskay7) August 30, 2023