Provide any updates in the situation since the field report and explain what is expected to happen
The current context of Gabon is fluid, complex and evolving rapidly. On August 30th, Gabon’s electoral commission declared Ali Bongo was the new president of Gabon, with a reported 64.27% of the vote, with the opposition leader, Ondo Ossa, a former education minister, with just 30.77% of the vote. Few hours later, the military moved in, and a group of military officers calling themselves the Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions denounced the election outcome. The military officials announced the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic”, the closure of Gabon’s borders. They declared that “to this end, the general elections of 26 August 2023 and the truncated results are cancelled”. Gunfire erupted briefly in the capital of Libreville after the officers announced the coup, but no major security incidents arose. On 4th September military leader Gen Oligui Nguema Brice was sworn in as head of state.
The situation in Libreville has been calm since the coup, with regular vehicle movement, internet connections stabilized and domestic and international flights that had been stopped on the day of the coup have resumed. After congratulating the army for having saved the country from another "electoral coup", the opposition platform Alternance 2023 is calling on the military to continue compiling the results of the presidential election, which it believes its candidate won.
Although the harbingers of violence are not clearly visible, nevertheless current fluid and rapidly evolving political situation can pose humanitarian consequences. Tensions and violence could come either side. It is important for neutral humanitarian organization like National Red Cross Society be better prepared for responding to the humanitarian needs.