Gabon's security forces arrested Lt. Ondo Obiang Kelly, the leader of the group of military servicemen who attempted to conduct a coup in the country, the RFI radio station reported Monday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th January, 2019) Gabon's security forces arrested Lt. Ondo Obiang Kelly, the leader of the group of military servicemen who attempted to conduct a coup in the country, the RFI radio station reported Monday.Earlier in the day, military servicemen seized the state broadcasting station of Gabon to announce the creation of the so-called national restoration council. The government said that a total of four rebels were arrested, while one individual managed to escape.
According to RFI, it was Obiang who fled, dressed in civilian clothes, which he took away from the editorial staff.
A few hours later, the rebel leader was found in a house near the broadcasting station's office.
In addition, the media reported citing the government's statement that two rebels were killed when the security forces stormed the building occupied by the servicemen.
"[Security forces] took the building by storm. Two participants of the rebellion were killed, and hostages were freed," the statement reads.
After seizing the state broadcasting station, the rebels read out a statement, saying that they had been disappointed by the December 31 address of President Ali Bongo Ondimba and branded it "a deplorable performance of the fierce attempt to retain power."
In his New Year video address from Rabat, Ali Bongo, 59, made his first public appearance since he suffered a stroke on October 24 and underwent a long treatment in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. The president said that he felt better and was preparing to meet the nation again. Though he appeared to have delivered his speech without much effort, media pointed to the fact that the president's lower body was not shown, thereby fueling further speculation about the head of state's months-long absence from the country and his ability to perform his duties.
