We are following events in Gabon with concern and watching the situation unfold while coordinating closely with our partners. The Federal Government’s crisis unit convened today at the Federal Foreign Office. German citizens are requested to follow the Federal Foreign Office’s travel and security advice and to enter their personal information in the register for emergency contact ELEFAND.

Even though criticism of the transparency and lawfulness of the recent election is justified, the military is not mandated to use violence to interfere in the political process. The people of Gabon must be able to decide their future freely in a spirit of self-determination.