US Halts Foreign Aid to Gabon Following Coup Designation

The United States is suspending most financial assistance to Gabon following a military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family had ruled the country for over five decades. The suspension of foreign aid had already been put on hold since September 26, and the U.S. government stated that assistance would resume once the transitional government takes concrete actions towards establishing democratic rule. Gabon, a former French colony and OPEC member, has faced economic challenges, with a significant portion of its population unemployed. This move follows a similar suspension of aid in Niger after mutinous soldiers seized power.