What happened in Gabon represents the latest in a series of coups d’état that have affected sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating a growing rebellion against neocolonial interference.
Gabon was shaken by a coup d’état that ousted the Bongo dynasty, in power for over 50 years.
A dozen soldiers and policemen announced the annulment of the elections recently held on August 26, the dissolution of "all institutions of the Republic" and the " end of the regime. "
This event represents the latest in a series of coups that have affected sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating a growing rebellion against neocolonial interference.
The decline of neocolonialism in Africa
The coup in Gabon follows a trend that appears to be spreading across sub-Saharan Africa, with coups having occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger over the past three years. We cannot help but read these events as a sign of reaction against the influence and interference of foreign powers in the political agenda of African nations.
The justification given by coup plotters in Gabon is that the Bongo government was considered irresponsible and unpredictable, causing a deterioration of social cohesion that threatened to plunge the country into chaos.
These statements reflect growing discontent with long-ruling political leaderships and political systems often deemed corrupt or ineffective.
Gabon, located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, is a country rich in resources, including oil, manganese, uranium, iron, and diamonds. However, the wealth of these resources is often exploited by Western multinationals, especially French and US.
This exploitation has fueled feelings of inequity over the years and led to a desire for greater national control over resources.
The Bongo Dynasty
Alain-Bernard Bongo, the ousted president, son of Omar Bongo, pro-Western, ally of France and who held the office of president from 1967 to 2009, was accused by his opponents of having manipulated the elections of August 27th, which confirmed him as president.
The accusations include alleged election fraud practices, the blocking of the internet, and the absence of ballots for Bongo’s rival. These events sparked discontent and contributed to the formation of the military junta that took power.
The military’s intervention in Gabon has received mixed reactions from the international community. Italy has declared that the approximately 150 Italians living in the country are safe. However, the Italian ambassador justified the coup by saying that the population was tired of Bongo and that the army tried to prevent the situation from worsening.
While Russia said it was "concerned", China called for the restoration of constitutional order and the safety of President Bongo, reflecting its interest in maintaining stable diplomatic relations.
These events in Gabon and other African nations indicate that there is a growing desire for national autonomy and control over political and economic matters.
As the African continent continues to develop and seek its own path to stability and prosperity, these coups could be seen as a sign of defiance of external interference and a desire to shape its own destiny.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2023-09-04 08:00:00. Original title: Il colpo di Stato in Gabon segna il tramonto dell’influenza neocoloniale in Africa
