WILMINGTON, Del. and NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) released the following statement in response to recent developments in Gabon:
“The apparent seizure of power by Gabon’s military is part of an alarming trend in West and Central Africa of military-backed coups. The Gabonese people – and people everywhere – deserve civilian-led, democratic governance. Despite Gabon’s flawed elections, no group of military officers has the right to unilaterally reverse an election, suspend the government, and impose their will upon the people. We call on the Armed Forces of Gabon to release President Bongo from house arrest and return to civilian control. Only then can a just, democratic civilian government be established.”
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Senate State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Booker is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy.