PARIS, Sep 1 citizens after an attempted coup in Gabon, the agency said in a communiqué on Friday.
“French people living in Gabon have received security instructions from our embassy. We are not aware of specific threats to our fellow citizens,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The French Foreign Ministry reminded that Paris condemns the military coup in Gabon and continues to closely monitor the situation.
«We reiterate our commitment to democracy, and in particular to a free and transparent electoral process,» the communiqué reads.
On Wednesday morning, the military of Gabon announced the cancellation of the election results and the dissolution of government institutions. The head of the Republican Guard, General Bris Oligi Nguema, told the Monde newspaper that Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba had been dismissed but would retain all civil rights. According to the military, the president is under house arrest. The rebels also said that in addition to the country's president, a number of people were arrested on suspicion of treason and other crimes.
Gabon is a former French colony. More than 80 branches of French companies operate in Gabon, especially in the mining sector, including Eramet, mining of Gabon's main natural resource — manganese, as well as rail transport, Air Liquide, Total Energies and others. Their total turnover reaches 3 billion euros.
One of the three French military bases in West Africa is located on the territory of the country. At the moment, there are about 400 French military personnel stationed in the capital, Libreville, as well as in Port Gentil on the Atlantic coast of the country. About 10 thousand French citizens live in Gabon.