Motives and Causes of Military coup in Gabon

The sun hung low over Libreville, casting long shadows across the city's bustling streets. In the heart of Gabon's capital, Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang sat alone in a dimly lit cafe, his mind awash with discontent. He was a seasoned military officer, loyal to President Ali Bongo Ondimba, but recent events had left him questioning his allegiance.

As the clinking of coffee cups and hushed conversations filled the air, Kelly pondered the causes that had brought him to this point. It was a complex web of political discontent, economic issues, and power struggles that had ignited the spark for what would become the Gabon coup of 2019.

Political discontent had been simmering beneath the surface for years. President Ali Bongo Ondimba had succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled Gabon for over four decades. The younger Bongo had promised a new era of transparency and development, but many Gabonese saw little change in their daily lives. Corruption remained rampant, and political opposition was systematically suppressed.

The frustration had grown, especially among the educated youth who saw their dreams of a better Gabon slipping away. They had taken to the streets, demanding reforms and fair elections, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. It was in these protests that Kelly had witnessed the depths of the discontent, as he and his fellow soldiers were tasked with maintaining order.

One evening, while on patrol, Kelly encountered Sophie, a university student with fiery determination in her eyes. She had been at the forefront of the protests, rallying her peers for change. Sophie's words had struck a chord with Kelly, who had secretly sympathized with their cause. As their paths crossed more frequently, Kelly found himself torn between his loyalty to the president and his growing admiration for Sophie's unwavering conviction.

Economic issues were another driving force behind the discontent. Gabon, despite its vast natural resources, was grappling with a sluggish economy. The oil-dependent nation had been hit hard by fluctuating global oil prices. The government's inability to diversify the economy had left many Gabonese struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment soared, and basic services were in disarray.

Kelly's family was no exception to this economic hardship. His parents, once hopeful that their son's military career would bring stability, now struggled to provide for their family. Kelly had seen the pain in their eyes, the disappointment that their sacrifices had not led to a better life. It fueled his growing disillusionment with the government.

Power struggles within the ruling elite added another layer to the turmoil. President Bongo's extended absence from the public eye had sparked rumors and speculation. Some believed he was seriously ill, while others suspected that he was already dead. This uncertainty had emboldened factions within the government to vie for control.

One evening, Kelly received an unexpected visit from his uncle, Colonel Pierre Mboma, a high-ranking officer in the Gabonese military. Pierre had always been a staunch supporter of President Bongo, but even he had grown uneasy about the power vacuum. Over a glass of whiskey, he confided in Kelly about a group of influential military officers and politicians who were secretly plotting to seize control.

As Kelly listened to his uncle's words, he realized that the coup he had once considered a distant possibility was now on the brink of becoming a reality. The motives and causes that had simmered beneath the surface were converging, creating a volatile mix that threatened to tear Gabon apart.

In the days that followed, Kelly found himself at a crossroads. He had to choose between his loyalty to the president and his growing belief that change was necessary for Gabon's future. His heart ached as he thought of Sophie and her unwavering commitment to a better Gabon. The economic struggles of his family weighed heavily on his conscience, and his uncle's revelation about the coup plot added a sense of urgency.

As the sun set over Libreville on that fateful day in January 2019, Kelly Ondo Obiang made his decision. He would join the coup plotters, not out of a thirst for power, but out of a deep-seated belief that it was the only way to address the political discontent, economic issues, and power struggles that had plagued Gabon for far too long.

Little did he know that his choice would set in motion a chain of events that would shape the destiny of a nation and leave Gabon teetering on the precipice of change.