Gabon’s coupists arrest Bongo’s son for treason

Twelve soldiers appeared on national television early Wednesday announcing the overthrow of Bongo’s government.

Emerging reports said they also detained his son for “treason” alongside his allies.

“President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors,” they said in a statement read out on state TV.

Bongo’s son and close adviser Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisers and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) “have been arrested,” a military leader said.

They are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations, he said.

The military takeover in Gabon is the latest in Africa after the recent one in Niger Republic on July 26.