Gabon Govt Says ‘Situation Under Control,’ Rebels Seized

Gabon Govt Says ‘Situation Under Control,’ Rebels Seized

(FILES) This file photo taken on August 22, 2009 ahead of the presidential election shows the entrance to the presidential palace in Libreville. AFP

The government of Gabon declared that it was in control after an attempted coup by army rebels Monday and that it had arrested most of those involved.

“Calm has returned, the situation is under control,” government spokesman Guy-Bertrand Mapangou told AFP.

Only hours earlier, soldiers burst into state radio and called on the people to “rise up,” an apparent bid to oust ailing President Ali Bongo, who is out of the country. Of the five who did this, according to Mapangou, “four have been arrested and one is on the run.”