UN offers to support Gabon for transition back to civilian rule

FILE PHOTO: Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 21, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid//File Photo

LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - A U.N. representative told Gabon's military leader the U.N. institutions stood ready to support the country as it transitions back to constitutional order following a coup that ended the Bongo family's 56 years of dynastic autocracy.

Army officers seized power on Aug. 30, annulling an election minutes after an announcement that President Ali Bongo had won, which they said was not credible. Bongo, in power since 2009, had succeeded his father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 42 years.