Gabon coup bid highlights country in grip of uncertainty By Amaury HAUCHARD Libreville (AFP) Jan 8, 2019 "Who's in charge?" asked Gaston, a resident of Libreville, a day after Gabon's armed forces quelled an attempted coup. Calm has returned to the Gabonese capital after several hours of upheaval, yet Gaston's question is on many lips. The brief attempt on power has prompted many to ponder the flux gripping a country where political change has been negligible for more than half a century. Gabon has been without effective government since October, when President Ali Bongo suffered a stroke while visiting Saudi Arabia. Bongo, 59, is the son of Omar Bongo, who became head of state in 1967 and died in June 2009, leaving a legacy of corruption allegations. In the kingdom of "kongossa" -- gossip in local slang -- tongues have wagged over the lack of detailed information about Bongo's health. The head of state has been flown to Morocco where he recorded a New Year's Eve address marked by slurred words and a squint that critics said raised even more alarming questions about his health. In his lengthening absence, a small group of soldiers stormed the state broadcasting headquarters in the capital on Monday and went on the air urging the Gabonese people to "rise up." The coup attempt turned out to be short lived. Security forces attacked the building and arrested the leader, killed two and freed radio technicians and journalists who had been held hostage. The army was deployed in the capital and armoured vehicles patrolled the streets, but on Tuesday most shops and restaurants were open and the seafront avenue, where the broadcasting centre is located, reopened to traffic. The internet, which had been cut, was restored, although the round-the-clock state-run news channel Gabon 24 was off the air. - 'Automatic pilot' - In a country based on an executive president, Bongo's absence has been felt in many ways, from institutional fog to press speculation of tensions between Bongo's cabinet director, Brice Laccruche Alihanga, and the head of the intelligence services, Frederic Bongo. Gabon is without a new prime minister -- there were legislative elections last October, but it is the job of the head of state to name someone to the post. The opposition has sought to have the Constitutional Court officially declare a power vacuum in Bongo's absence, but court president Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo instead announced a new clause in the basic law to clarify the situation, without a parliamentary vote. "Gabon on (very dangerous) automatic pilot," an opposition newspaper headlined early in November, prompting a ban on publication. Frustration, anxiety or anger are not hard to find in the streets of Libreville, although few wish to speak on the record, fearing retribution. "What happened (yesterday) was a good thing, it should have worked. We have to get out of this situation," said Stephane, a 27-year-old tripe seller. He said he had been among people who went out in response to the rebels' appeal for an uprising. "We weren't criminals or looters. We answered the call. We are 120-percent fed up!" he said. The authorities remain consistent in their communications. The situation after the attempted coup is "normal," Bongo is "doing fine" and "will soon come back." "It's as if absolutely nothing has happened," snorted an angry citizen. "They did the same thing to us in 2016," the individual said, referring to the government's posture after a bitterly contested presidential election was followed by clashes. "Can you understand how frustrating it is to live in a country where there is such a blackout?"
Crude oil prices see increase as U.S.-China trade talks restart Washington (UPI) Jan 7, 2019 Crude oil prices were up Monday alongside news of the restart of trade talks between the United States and China, and also after a report of fewer operating rigs after recent price drops. West Texas Intermediate crude front-month future prices rose 2 percent to $48.92 per barrel as of 8:00 a.m. EST, while Brent crude futures rose 1.6 percent to $58.02 per barrel as of the same time. "China will be a focus today, " Tariq Zahir, managing member of investment-advisory firm Tyche Capital Adv ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |