Reports of gunfire in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, have emerged after senior military officers announced on national television that they had seized power. The disturbance happened just hours after President Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared the winner of the presidential election, extending his family's 55-year rule. The soldiers involved claimed they intended to "dissolve all institutions of the republic." This is not the first time Bongo's election victories have been disputed. The main opposition candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa, had already complained about irregularities in the election process, while foreign media had been banned from covering the vote. The government responded to the situation by announcing a curfew and suspending internet access. The attempted coup adds to the recent string of military takeovers in African countries. However, unlike some of the others, Gabon has not been plagued by jihadi violence and was considered relatively stable. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether the coup will be successful.