Army officers who staged a coup in Gabon have named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the transitional leader of the country. In a video, deposed President Ali Bongo called for international support while General Nguema was celebrated by his troops in the streets of the capital, Libreville. The officers declared the annulment of Saturday's election results, in which Bongo was declared the winner, citing allegations of fraud by the opposition. They also arrested one of Bongo's sons for treason. The military coup has been condemned by the UN, the African Union, and France, which had close ties to the Bongo family. Gabon, a major oil producer in Africa, has long had simmering resentment towards the Bongo family's 55-year rule and discontent over the cost of living. The appointment of General Nguema as the new leader signifies a significant change for the country, but the exact motivations behind the coup remain unclear. This latest coup adds to a worrying trend of political instability in West and Central Africa, with recent military takeovers in countries like Niger, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad. The rise in instability has raised concerns among Western powers, who fear the expansion of influence by countries like Russia and its Wagner Group in the region.