President Muhammad Buhari has sued for high regard for the constitution of the oil-rich West-central African country, Gabon, after a foiled coup attempt yesterday Monday, January 7.
The president who is also the ECOWAS Chairman urged the military officers to either resign their job in the army and face politics if they have any political ambition or face their constitutional roles as military officers.
President Buhari reacted to the gloomy event in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, saying democracy is supreme and peaceful change must be respected.
He said, “The military officers in Gabon should understand that the era of military coups and governments in Africa and indeed worldwide, is long gone.
“Democracy is supreme and the constitutional stipulations on the peaceful change of administration must be respected. That is the only way we can ensure peace and stability not only within the country but also in the region.”
Shehu said Buhari, who is also the ECOWAS Chairman, urged military officers with political ambitions to resign or face their constitutional role.
The statement added that Buhari enjoined the people of Gabon to remain on the side of peace, security, stability and democracy in their country.
Meanwhile, the government of Gabon has arrested the officers who staged the Monday coup while taking over the country's national radio station from where they announced the power grab.
Three soldiers wearing the green beret of the Republican Guard were visible in a video of the speech during the attempted coup.
According to Associated Press, Guy-Betrand Mapangou, the government's spokesman, told Radio France International that the authorities had taken control of the situation.
Mapangou said the attempted coup was initiated by junior army officers.
He also noted that three soldiers had been taken into custody, while a curfew has been imposed on Libreville, the Gabon capital.
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