The coup in Gabon further worsens the complicated scenario in the region, which has already seen conflicts and crises in Niger, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The seizure of power by the army, ignoring the results of elections and the arrest of the president are reminiscent of the events in Niger, which in the opinion of the United Nations confirms the need to prevent this type of situation.

“The best way to deal with these military coups is (…) to invest more in the way to prevent them,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary General António Guterres, told the press. “That is the best remedy in a certain sense. Afterwards, there needs to be an energetic condemnation against these coups. And I think we are seeing it from various institutions and also from here,” he stated, stressing that “Our broader concern is, in reality, the people of Gabon and the people of the countries that have recently suffered military coups, which is a clear violation of their rights”.

The United Nations observes the context with concern while maintaining its humanitarian personnel in the region.

The variety of conflicts on the continent also represents an additional risk for already active operations such as the withdrawal of the Peace Mission in Mali, expected to end in December of this year by agreement of the Security Council.

Guterres rejected the coup in Gabon in a statement, asked the actors involved to act with restraint and called for an inclusive and meaningful dialogue, so as to guarantee full respect for the rule of law and human rights. He also stressed his opposition to military coups and on the support of the United Nations for the people of Gabon.

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