Gabon’s Military Announces Easing of Curfew Following President’s Overthrow
After the military overthrow of Gabon’s incumbent president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for 14 years, the military administration has decided to ease the curfew that had been enforced for over a month.
This curfew was initially imposed by Bongo’s government during the presidential election on August 26, running from 6 pm to 6 am local time. The military had reduced it for the first time on September 11, applying it only in the capital, Libreville, and its suburbs, from 10 pm to 6 am.
The curfew will now be maintained but with reduced hours, in effect from midnight to 5 am “across the country,” according to Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, spokesperson for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI).
This decision aims to support economic operators across sectors and accommodate the start of the new school year. General Brice Oligui Nguema, proclaimed president of the transition after Bongo’s overthrow, has pledged to return power to civilians through elections, although the timeline remains unspecified.