A group of senior military officers in Gabon announced a coup on Wednesday, hours after the country's state election body declared President Ali Bongo as the victor for a third term.

The officers, who identified themselves as members of The Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions, said they were acting on behalf of the Gabonese people. They announced the cancellation of the election results, the closure of all borders, and the dissolution of state institutions.

The broadcast was followed by reports of gunfire in the capital city of Libreville. As of now, there has been no official response from the government of Gabon.

The coup attempt comes amid rising tensions in Gabon following the recent presidential election. President Bongo, who has been in power since 2009, was declared the winner of the election, but the opposition has alleged widespread fraud.

The coup attempt is the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020. Previous coups in countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger have dealt significant blows to democratic progress in the region.

The situation in Gabon remains fluid and it is unclear what will happen next. However, the coup attempt is a significant development that could have major implications for the country's future. (ILKHA)