Gabon witnessed an alarming morning after a group of senior Gabonese military officers went live on television channel Gabon 24 on Wednesday and announced that they had taken power after it was declared that President Ali Bongo won a third term.
According to AFP journalists, gunfire was heard in the country's capital of Libreville.
Gabonese military officers further declared an announcement on television stating that the country's borders are closed as of now until further notice, while state institutions have dissolved and remain out of operation.
"We are putting an end to the current regime," Gabonese soldiers said on TV.
This ensued after the military officials also said that the recent general elections were not credible or valid, and the results thus have been annulled. They continued to state that they represent all security and defense forces of Gabon.
Voters in Gabon were called to the polls on Saturday for a triple election, in which President Bongo Ondimba, a descendant of a family that has ruled for 55 years, is seeking victory over a belatedly united opposition.
Bongo took office in 2009, succeeding his father Omar, who died after more than 41 years in power.