The president’s term in office has been overshadowed by a long-running French investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving the Bongo family’s assets.
Mr Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months, reportedly suffered a stroke in October and received treatment in Morocco.
He sought to put an end to the rumours about his health with a televised new year message in which he said he was feeling fine.
Soldiers said they had been disappointed by the message, calling it “a pitiful sight” and a “relentless attempt to cling onto power.”
Mr Bongo has been criticised over his prominent role in the Freemasons – an organisation whose Gabonese chapter he led as lodge master.
But his supporters point to his role in attempting to diversify Gabon’s oil-dependent economy, in the face of declining oil reserves.
President Trump has deployed soldiers to Gabon to protect US citizens amid fears of violent protests in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo following its presidential election.
BBC
