Coup: US Ends Gabon Aid, Seeks Transition
By Matthew Atungwu
The United States on Monday withdrew its assistance to Gabon over its August 30 coup but said it would be willing to recommence aid in exchange for significant democratic advancements.
The United States, which had already paused assistance after the military takeover, said it had formally determined that a coup took place, which under US law requires an end to non-humanitarian aid.
“We will resume our assistance alongside concrete actions by the transitional government toward establishing democratic rule,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
“The United States stands with the Gabonese people in their aspirations for democracy, prosperity, and stability.”
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In contrast to Niger, another African nation where the US withdrew help due to a coup, Gabon, which is rich in oil and has been ruled by the Bongo family for more than 50 years, has received very little support from the US.
Ali Bongo Ondimba was overthrown by military forces in Gabon shortly after he was declared the victor of an election that was heavily criticized for irregularities.
The military-appointed opposition leader Raymond Ndong Sima as prime minister.
Ndong Sima has begged Western nations not to generalize about military takeovers in general, pointing out that the intervention avoided instability and dealt with corruption-related issues.
The deposed president’s Franco-Gabonese wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, was jailed this month for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
