The US suspended certain foreign assistance programs to Gabon on Tuesday following last month’s coup in the African nation.
Some foreign aid programmes to Gabon in the wake of last month’s coup in the African country have been suspended, US officials say. Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed in a statement:
The US government is pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Gabon while we evaluate the unconstitutional intervention by members of the country’s military.
It is to be noted that in an earlier announcement, France also suspended all development aid to Niger following the coup against President Bazoum. The European Union and several other countries have also put the financial aid to the Western African nation on pause. Antony Blinken also added:
This interim measure is consistent with steps taken by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the African Union and other international partners, and will continue while we review the facts on the ground in Gabon. We are continuing US government operational activities in Gabon, including diplomatic and consular operations supporting US citizens.
On 30 August, national television announced the seizure of power and the placing of President Ali Bongo under house arrest. A group of high-ranking Gabonese army officers made the announcement. The power grab came shortly after Gabon’s electoral centre confirmed that Bongo had officially won a third presidential term with 64.27% of the vote.
