Commonwealth says Gabon Coup ‘deeply concerning’

The Commonwealth expressed concern on Wednesday over a military coup in Gabon, which joined the organisation last year, and said it was closely monitoring the situation.

Secretary general Patricia Scotland said the situation was “deeply concerning”, adding: “The Commonwealth Charter is clear that member states must uphold the rule of law and the principles of democracy at all times”.

This comes just hours after a group of Gabonese military commanders said on television that they were “putting an end to the current regime” and calling off Ondimba’s election.