The people of Gabon are “forced to condense their days” because of a daily curfew maintained by the nation’s new military leaders, a resident has told News.
A curfew from 19:00 to 06:00 local time (18:00 to 05:00 GMT) was imposed by Gabon’s previous government ahead of elections on Saturday.
Military leaders, who executed a coup hours after the poll results were announced on Wednesday, have extended the curfew to a 18:00 start.
But Theodora from Port-Gentil, a city also known as Mandji, said she was happy that Ali Bongo had been ousted as president and appreciated why the curfew had to remain in place.
“Many people take advantage of this type of situation to steal and loot. It’s for our safety. It is also to allow the army to do its job and arrest the people they need to arrest.
“Within a week or two, things should return to normal. I can call whoever I want and do whatever I want. The army deployments have even been lightened,” she said.
“They can see and feel that the population is with them. They are not a threat to us and we are not a threat to them. There will be no unjustified restriction of freedom.”
Theodora added that people were thankful the coup had been carried out without bloodshed.
“We are also relieved that Ali Bongo and everyone around him are alive. You know, Gabon is a very small country and we are all related. At weddings or funerals, we all bump into each other.
“We do not want the death of Bongo, his wife, his family or anyone. We just want justice to be served, because they have to be held accountable.