[UPDATE-Sep 6-06:15Z] Gabon Coup Attempt: Military Officers Say They Have Taken Power

Coup in Gabon a surprise, harms France’s interests, expert says The military coup in Gabon has become a surprise, this even will damage France’s interests in the region, says Vsevolod Sviridov, expert of the HSE University’s Center for African Studies. “There were fewer preconditions for a coup in Gabon than there were in Niger. Gabon was relatively stable and rich, it is rich in water resources, it exports oil, which, considering the small population of 2.3 million people, made it possible to ensure political and economic stability and allowed the Bongo family to stay in power for almost 70 years….