Gabon’s coup leaders say they have placed president Ali Bongo on house arrest after claiming to have seized control of the country following the incumbent’s disputed election win.
Military leaders added that other members of Bongo’s government had been detained - hours after officials announced the president had won a third term in office.
Earlier the officers, who claimed to represent all the Central African state’s security and defence forces, declared that the results of the election had been cancelled.
All borders were closed until further notice and state institutions were dissolved, the group said on TV station Gabon 24. Just minutes after the statement gunfire could be heard ringing out in the capital Libreville.
President Bongo’s family has ruled the country that produces oil and manganese for more than half a century.
There was no immediate comment from the government of Gabon, which is a member of the oil producer group OPEC, and there were no immediate reports on the whereabouts of Bongo, who was last seen in public casting his vote on Saturday.