Deposed Gabon President Seeks Foreign Help

Some Gabonese are expressing joy after the country’s military seized power early Wednesday and detained President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The new leaders have named General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the Republican Guard, as head of state. A video circulating on social media shows deposed President Bongo appealing to his international friends to speak out on his behalf. African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat has condemned what he called an attempted coup in Gabon. President Ali Bongo and his family have ruled the country for 56 years. His overthrow came an hour after it was announced that he had won a third term with 64.27% of the vote. Franck Jocktane, a Gabonese human rights and democracy activist, tells VOA’s James Butty, Gabonese are rejoicing because for the first time in 56 years, they will sleep without a Bongo as their leader.