US suspending most foreign aid to Gabon after formal coup designation

2024-12-26 00:36:34 source:lotradecoin API category:Stocks

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — The U.S. government is suspending most financial assistance to Gabon after a military coup earlier this year ousted the president whose family had ruled the nation for more than five decades, the State Department said.

The official coup d’etat designation comes nearly two months after President Ali Bongo Ondimba ‘s overthrow.

“We underscore that our humanitarian, health, and education assistance will continue to benefit the people of Gabon,” spokesperson Matthew Milller said in a statement Monday.

Foreign aid already had been put on temporary hold to Gabon as of Sept. 26, the statement said.

“We will resume our assistance alongside concrete actions by the transitional government toward establishing democratic rule,” Miller added.

Ondimba had served two terms since coming to power in 2009 after the death of his father, who ruled the country for 41 years. Another group of mutinous soldiers attempted a coup in 2019 but was quickly overpowered.

The former French colony is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few — and nearly 40% of Gabonese aged 15 to 24 were out of work in 2020, according to the World Bank.

Earlier this month, the U.S. took similar steps in Niger, suspending counterterrorism assistance and military training more than two months after mutinous soldiers seized power.

More:Stocks

Recommend

This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.

A house featured in the cult-classic "Home Alone" is for sale − but it's not the one where Kevin McC

Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion

ATLANTA — With each missed layup, clanked three and clumsy pass out of bounds, you could imagine Dan

Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?

The Kansas City Chiefs tied a franchise record for wins to start a season with a narrow win over Den