Gabon, a relatively stable country in West and Central Africa, woke up to a military coup today that aims to remove President Ali Bongo Ondimba from power. This coup, if successful, would mark the eighth change in regime brought about by military coups in the region since 2020. Soldiers have previously seized power in countries such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan, and Niger. The coup in Gabon has received significant popular support, with many people hopeful for a change after years of mismanagement, corruption, and political rigging under the Bongo dynasty. President Bongo inherited power from his father, who ruled until his death in 2009. Despite Gabon's membership in the OPEC oil cartel, the majority of its population still faces a low quality of life. The motivations behind this takeover are still unclear, but the lack of response to previous coups may have influenced the soldiers' decision to seize power. It remains to be seen whether this military coup will bring about the political change that many in Gabon desire.