Gabon military officers claim power, say election lacked credibility
Al JazeeraMAR 30 2023
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
France strongly condemns this attempted coup in Gabon and is monitoring the situation closely. The coup leaders should respect the will of the people and honor the outcome of Saturday's national election. Ali Bongo Ondimba should be reinstated as president of Gabon and democracy must prevail.
Establishment-critical narrative
France's past support for corrupt and authoritarian leaders in its former colonies has led to a situation in which Paris is literally being chased out of French-speaking African countries in an epidemic of military coups. France's once undisputed geopolitical power in the region is being challenged by China and Russia. Volatile situations like this one are the result of unscrupulous French actions and Paris's waning regional sway.