PH
The US cut off aid to Gabon on Monday in response to the August 30 coup, but said it was willing to provide help in exchange for real progress toward democracy.
The US, which had previously halted support following the military takeover, said it had formally concluded that a coup had occurred, which under US law necessitates the cessation of non-humanitarian aid.
“We will resume our assistance alongside concrete actions by the transitional government toward establishing democratic rule,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
“The United States stands with the Gabonese people in their aspirations for democracy, prosperity and stability.”
Unlike in Niger, another African country where the US recently cut funding due to a coup, US help to Gabon has been negligible. Gabon is rich in oil and has been ruled by the Bongo family for more than 50 years.
Gabonese military leaders deposed Ali Bongo Ondimba just as he was declared the winner of an election marred by irregularities.
Raymond Ndong Sima, an opposition leader, was installed as Prime Minister by the military.
Ndong Sima has begged with Western powers not to lump all military takeovers together, claiming that the intervention stopped unrest and handled corruption concerns.
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, the former president’s Franco-Gabonese wife, was imprisoned this month for alleged misappropriation of public funds.
