The Central African nation of Gabon has turn into the newest sufferer of a rising pattern of navy coups within the area. If profitable, the Wednesday’s coup in Gabon could be the eighth in West and Central Africa in simply three years.
The latest wave of navy intervention in civil rule and coups began in Mali in 2021, earlier than hitting Guinea and Sudan the identical yr. A yr later, Burkina Faso fell and was adopted by the same takeover in Niger this July.
When a bunch of navy officers claimed to have overthrown President Ali Bongo – proper after a nationwide election – it virtually ended his household’s 55-year dynasty, backed by Gabon’s former colonial ruler, France.
France, though on the receiving finish, seems to be the frequent thread with all of the navy coups talked about above happening in its former colonies, the place Paris has lengthy maintained a robust navy, business and political presence as a part of a discredited post-colonial coverage referred to as “Francafrique.”
However, there may be seemingly a basic distinction between the coup in Gabon and others, significantly ones in Western Africa and the Sahel area.
According to Tunç Demirtaş, a researcher on the Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), “Although they (the recent coups) seem to have created a ‘coup ecosystem’ in the continent, the development in Gabon should not be considered the same as the one in Niger.”
“The Gabonese military intervention emerged due to political turmoil, while security concerns and poor governance drove the interventions in Niger and some other countries,” wrote Demirtaş in a latest piece for SETA.
Huriye Yıldırım Çınar, co-director of the Istanbul-based TASAM African Institute, identified: “Despite being recognized as one of the top five richest countries in Africa with a GDP per capita of $6,440, a significant portion of its population struggles with deep poverty. This is largely attributed to the extensive corruption of the ‘Bongo Dynasty’ and its close associates.”
As a member of OPEC, Gabon produces roughly 181,000 barrels of crude oil a day whereas French uranium mining corporations function within the nation as a consequence of its uranium assets.
Ali Bongo’s continued rule in Gabon since 2009 has failed to supply the prosperity and stability that the Gabonese individuals had hoped for, in response to Çınar.
There has additionally been studies of political pressure between the Gabonese carefully associated ruling elite.
For occasion, navy coup chief Gen. Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema is President Bongo’s cousin. An achieved navy officer, Nguema was assigned to diplomatic posts in Morocco and Senegal for roughly 10 years after Bongo got here to energy in 2009.
Some sources interpret these assignments as a type of exile as a consequence of disagreements between Bongo and Nguema. Nevertheless, in 2019, Nguema was recalled to Gabon and appointed the pinnacle of the Republican Guard.
It is understood that Nguema has amassed important wealth, significantly overseas, together with within the United States, Morocco, and France, stated Çınar.
Foreign hyperlinks
The coup has been condemned by most international powers, together with Gabon’s former colonial ruler France and Russia, which has been alleged to have hyperlinks with among the latest coups on the continent.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed considerations, saying: “Moscow received reports of a sharp deterioration in internal developments in our friendly African country. We continue to closely monitor the situation and hope for a speedy return to stability.”
Çınar additionally dismissed any hyperlink between the coup and a 3rd nation, however reasonably pointed fingers on the Paris-backed ruling elite whereas additionally holding colonial energy France accountable.
“Firstly, due to recent coups in Sub-Saharan Africa and France’s diminishing influence in the region, it could be argued that France might be behind the developments in Gabon.”
“While these coups are claimed to be against local political elites who are guarantors of French interests, the Paris government is aware that its interests in Gabon are threatened by the Bongo regime.”
“Protests against Ali Bongo in recent years have jeopardized French presence in the country, and anti-French sentiment has been on the rise. As a result, around 450 French troops are stationed in the country to ensure security. French officials may believe that Bongo is unlikely to relinquish power.”
She added that the administration of Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged that one of many essential elements eroding France’s energy and status in Africa lately is the backlash from younger African populations in opposition to its long-standing relationships with growing older political elites.
“Therefore, the Macron administration might be looking to maintain its influence in Gabon through new political elites outside of the Bongo family,” stated Çınar.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
