The Commonwealth on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the military coup in Gabon

A group of senior Gabonese military officers appeared on national television in the early hours of Wednesday and said they had taken power after the state election body announced President Ali Bongo had won a third term.

The signs of a coup in Gabon come just weeks after members of the presidential guard in Niger seized power and established a junta.

The Secretary -General, Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, voiced fears about the military coup in Gabon, which joined the grouping last year, adding that the bloc was monitoring the situation closely.

Scotland said “the situation is deeply concerning”.

“The Commonwealth Charter is clear that member states must uphold the rule of law and the principles of democracy at all times.”

Earlier, Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, said France was following events in Gabon “with the greatest attention”.

“This is a debate that we are going to have with all the generals. We will meet at 2pm [13:00 GMT]. It will be about reaching a consensus. Everyone will put forward ideas, and the best ones will be chosen as well as the name of the person who will lead the transition,” he added.