The chief military rebel, who led a failed coup in Gabon on Monday, has been arrested and two of his commandos killed after they stormed a public radio station, the presidency said.
DAILY POST earlier reported that a group of soldiers attempted to take power and called in a radio appeal for a popular uprising against ailing President Ali Bongo, who is abroad recovering from a stroke.
Soldiers in the West African country said they launched a coup to restore democracy.
President Bongo, who took over power in 2009, reportedly suffered a stroke in October and was receiving treatment in Morocco.
Giving update on the situation, Gabon Presidency in a statement made available by WestAfrican.co, said Security forces stormed the radio station in the capital Libreville to take it back, killing two rebel troops, arresting their leader and freeing journalists who had been forced to help rebels make their appeal.
“The situation is under control. Six rebel troops earlier Monday burst into the state radio broadcasting station, “neutralising” gendarmes in front of the building before making their broadcast,” the statement said
Bongo is staying at a private residence in the Moroccan capital Rabat after suffering a stroke. He made a televised speech on New Year’s Eve but has not been in the West African country since October.
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