According to the soldiers, their aim was to restore democracy in the oil-rich country which has been ruled by Ali Bongo’s family for 50 years.
Ali Bongo succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, as president in 2009, when he narrowly won the re-election in 2016, in a poll marred by violence and accusations of fraud.
The soldiers took control of the national radio station at 04:30 local time (03:30 GMT) to read a short statement announcing a “National Restoration Council”.
Tanks and armed vehicles can be seen on the streets of the capital, Libreville. Ali Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a stroke in October 2018, and received treatment in Morocco.
In an attempt to put an end to the rumours about his health with a televised New Year message, he claimed he was feeling fine. Soldiers however stated that they had been disappointed by the message, calling it “a pitiful sight” and a “relentless attempt to cling onto power.”
