In response to a recent military coup in Gabon, the Biden administration has taken action to suspend specific non-humanitarian aid programs to the nation, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday. This incident marks the second such occurrence in an African country this year.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the announcement, outlining a “pause in certain foreign assistance programs” designated for Gabon. This suspension is contingent upon a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the removal of Gabon’s former leader, President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Secretary Blinken emphasized that this suspension would not disrupt US government operations within Gabon, particularly given the nation’s significance as an oil-rich central African country. However, the statement did not offer specific information regarding which precise US-funded initiatives would be affected or the extent of funding temporarily withheld.
The statement from the Secretary of State affirmed the US government’s commitment to monitoring and assessing the situation in Gabon closely. Further developments will be forthcoming as the situation unfolds.
The statement read;
- “The U.S. 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,”
- “This interim measure is consistent with steps taken by the Economic Community of Central African States, 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.”
Backstory
On August 30, military officers in Gabon took control of the government, declaring the nullification of election results just minutes after an announcement that President Ali Bongo had secured victory, citing concerns about the credibility of the election. Bongo has held power since 2009.
The junta, which assumed power, has pledged to oversee the organization of free and fair elections. However, they have not provided a specific timeline for the election process.
Junta-appointed Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima was quoted by the French news agency AFP earlier this month, expressing that a 24-month transition period leading to elections in Gabon would be considered “reasonable” in the aftermath of last month’s coup.
