Category: Rest of Africa

President Mnangagwa, 80, won 52.6 percent of the vote against main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s 44 percent in the August 23 to 24 presidential elections.

Military officers seized power in a coup on Wednesday minutes after an announcement that Bongo had secured a third term in an election, ending his family's nearly 60-year hold on power.

<p>But even as it is condemned by world leaders, the popularity of the coup among civilians has sent shock waves across the region in a neighbourhood where leaders have cumulatively been in power for more than 100 years, the longest average on the continent.</p>

After the session in Egypt, it turned out Egypt and Ethiopia have not climbed down from their irreducible minimums, making it a slim chance that the next talks will produce any positive results.

The body said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that it "strongly condemns the military takeover of power in the Republic of Gabon which ousted President Ali Bongo on August 30, 2023".

"We urge those responsible to release and ensure the safety of members of government and their families and to preserve civilian rule," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Deposed, powerless and under house arrest, Bongo, 64, is now at the mercy of the military. But at least they allowed him free internet, where he asked the world to "make some noise" about his situation.

The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has confirmed that at least 64 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in a fire that broke out in the Osindiso building at around 1.30am.

The move follows the disputed June 2023 General Election, which Western observers say lacked transparency.

During the announcement, AFP journalists heard gunfire ring out in the Gabonese capital, Libreville.