AU suspends Gabon’s membership following coup

The African Union (AU) Commission has suspended Gabon from the bloc until normal constitutional order is restored in the country following the latest military coup.

The pan-African bloc announced the suspension in a statement issued late Thursday, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It took the decision to suspend Gabon during its latest meeting on situation in the Central African country, AU said.

The council “decides to immediately suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of the AU and its organs and institutions until the restoration of constitutional order in the country, in line with the relevant AU instruments,” the statement read.

It also called for immediate release and guarantee of the human rights, personal integrity, safety and health of President Ali Bongo, his family members and members of his government.

AU condemned any politically motivated arrests in the circumstances. It stressed importance of ensuring all political detainees are processed through the judicial system as prescribed by laws of Gabon.

The council demanded the immediate restoration of constitutional order through the conduct of free, fair, credible and transparent elections.

Such elections should be observed by the AU Election Observer Mission and the concerned region.

It also urged the Gabonese military to immediately return to the barracks and unconditionally return power to the civilian authority, and uphold their constitutional mandate and the principle of constitutionalism.

The council further urged the military to refrain from any interference in the political processes in Gabon.

Failing to adhere, AU said it would take necessary measures, including imposition of targeted sanctions against perpetrators of the coup.

The Gabonese military, on Wednesday, announced on television that they had taken power and put President Bongo under house arrest. (Xinhua)