Turkish Foreign Ministry said it wishes the return of peace and stability in Gabon. Photo: AA

Türkiye is monitoring developments in Gabon "closely and carefully," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"We wish peace and stability to be restored in the country," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after a group of senior Gabonese army officers appeared on national television early Wednesday and announced that they had seized power.

The move came shortly after the Gabonese Election Center confirmed that incumbent President Ali Bongo officially won a third term as president with 64.27% of the votes.

The embattled leader Ali Bongo has said that his family members including his wife and son had been arrested while he was confined to his residence.

In a recorded video message, Bongo, wondered what was happening and appealed for help. The 64-year-old politician became Gabon's leader in 2009 following the death of his father, President Omar Bongo Ondimba.

AA