Four African countries with the odd history of experiencing December 31 coups

Gabon

After reports that Gabon’s president, Ali Bongo had been taken ill in late 2018, a group of adventurous soldiers saw it as an opportunity to end the Bongo family dynasty in Gabon on December 31.

What Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang and others did not take into consideration was that while Bongo may be unpopular among civilians, he is a champion for the rest of the army.

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Lieutenant Obiang called his team the Republican Guard and announced in a radio broadcast that they would be taking over Gabon because Bongo was unable “to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office”.

But the coup was thwarted and only hours after Obiang had boldly proclaimed change, Bongo was on state TV, weakly assuring citizens that he was fine.