Gabon coup not surprising- Security Expert

Emmanuel Kutin, Executive Director African Center for Peace and Security, has revealed that he is not surprised by the military takeover in Gabon.
This statement by the security expert comes after a military coup thrust the Central African nation of Gabon into turmoil Wednesday, unseating the president – whose family had held power for more than half a century – just minutes after he was named the winner of a contested election.
Ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, also known as Ali Bongo, has faced accusations of election fraud and corruption since he began ruling the oil-rich but poverty-stricken nation nearly 14 years ago.
Following the coup, residents in the country’s capital were seen celebrating and embracing soldiers on the street.
But much remains uncertain, with Bongo reportedly under house arrest, his son arrested, all borders closed and the government ostensibly shut down.
International leaders have expressed concern and condemnation of the coup, some warning their citizens in Gabon to shelter in place.
The coup leaders said Bongo had been placed under house arrest, surrounded by “family and doctors.” The ousted president’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, was arrested alongside six others for “high treason.”
A video aired by the Agence France-Presse news agency shows Bongo seated in what looks like a library, saying he was “at the residence” and didn’t know what was happening. “My son is somewhere, my wife is another place,” he said.
Speaking on Accra-based Atinka FM last Tuesday, the Executive Director African Center for Peace and Security, Emmanuel Kutin, noted that the panacea to stopping military coups in Ghana is stopping constitutional coups.
According to him, Gabon’s elections over the years lacked credibility and fairness leaving citizens peeved.
Source: Atinkaonline.com