ECCAS suspends Gabon's membership

  Following the military coup in Gabon and the removal of the country's president, after the African Union took action, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has also suspended the country's membership. On August 30, a group of high-ranking soldiers in Gabon announced the annulment of the results of the presidential election held in the country, dissolved all government institutions, and suspended all government activities after removing the country's president and taking power. The Gabonese army has announced Brice Oligui Nguema, who was previously the commander of the presidential security force, as the head of the transitional government.

On Monday, ECCAS decided to suspend Gabon's membership in the community and announced that its membership will only be reinstated when the country's rulers agree to reinstate the country's constitutional system. ECCAS has condemned the use of force in seizing power and resolving conflicts in Gabon. The Council for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union issued a statement on Thursday, suspending Gabon's participation in all its activities, bodies and institutions until the rule of law is restored in the country. The military coup in Gabon is the eighth in western and central Africa since 2020. A similar coup was recently witnessed in Niger, which took place on July 26.