The African Union on Thursday suspended Gabon's participation in all of its activities following Wednesday's military takeover, which it strongly condemned. The decision followed AU’s Peace and Security Council meeting on Thursday. The AU said it had decided to “suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of its organs and institutions” until constitution order is restored. The AU suspended Niger Republic’s membership just a few weeks ago after the military took power there at the end of July.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Sudan have also been suspended since the coups in those countries.
Like other juntas who have snatched power in the region, Gabon's military leaders are seeking to consolidate power despite international condemnation.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, the coup leader and former head of the presidential guard, is due to be sworn in as president on Monday.
Earlier, the Gabonese junta said it would phase in what it is calling transitional institutions after the removal of President Ali Bongo.
Following the Gabon coup, two African countries in a move to avoid Niger and Gabon’s experiences went ahead to retire their generals and rejigged their military structures.
The countries are Rwanda which sent 12 generals and 678 soldiers packing and Cameroon which restructured its Defence Ministry by making new appointments.
