Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has shared his perspective on the recent military coup that has taken place in Gabon. This development follows closely after the controversial re-election of President Ali Bongo for a third term.
Army officers in Gabon announced the takeover on Tuesday, citing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election, which they deemed fraudulent due to opposition rejection.
Fani-Kayode, expressing his thoughts on the situation via his social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), has predicted the possibility of additional coups in the Francophone nations of West and Central Africa.
He stated “Sadly another coup has taken place in Africa. This time it is in the nation of Gabon where President Ali Bongo has been removed from power.
“It appears that the warning I gave in my last essay, titled ‘Does Killing Nigerian Babies Bring Glory To Our Name?’, was prophetic.
“I am not surprised that this has happened and frankly we should expect more coups in the Francophone countries of West and Central Africa for the reasons I stated in that essay.”
Speculation arises as he contemplates whether ECOWAS or the African Union might consider issuing threats of intervention in Gabon as well.
“I wonder whether ECOWAS or the African Union will threaten to invade Gabon too?” He asked.
The French Prime Minister, Elizabeth Borne, acknowledged that France, Gabon’s former colonial ruler, is closely monitoring the unfolding events.
Read also: BREAKING! Coup in Gabon as Ali Bongo Wins 3rd Time President
Should this coup succeed, it would mark the eighth instance of such actions in West and Central Africa since the year 2020. The most recent occurrence took place in Niger in July, adding to a series of military takeovers that have transpired in countries including Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad.
Unlike Niger and other Sahel nations that have been grappling with Islamist insurgencies, leading to skepticism about democratic governance, Gabon’s situation is distinct. Positioned further south along the Atlantic coast, the potential coup, if successful, would underscore a worrisome trend of declining democratic norms within a region already plagued by instability.
Fani-Kayode further warned that the world should expect more coups from Africa, particularly the West and Central Africa.
Recall that Niger Republic is currently being ruled by military junta, after the coup in July.