Coup in Gabon

As a group of senior Gabonese military officers announce they have seized power and placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest, we take a closer look at Gabon's economic situation. The Central African nation is the fourth-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, but a third of its population lives below the poverty line. One particular source of frustration lies in the high levels of corruption: the country ranks 136th in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

We bring you reactions from the pan-African and French press after the coup in Gabon and appointment of a general as transitional president. What future awaits the region? Also: one of India's richest families, the Adani Group, is accused of stock market corruption in a damning report. Finally: Japan's prime minister eats fish from Fukushima's radioactive waters to prove that it's... not radioactive!

The EU foreign ministers met to discuss ways to help West Africa's ECOWAS regional group handle the military takeover in Niger. The meeting came the junta stripped the French ambassador of diplomatic immunity.

Since 1967, Gabon has been dominated by one family. The Bongos combined their authoritarian power with excessive wealth and tenacious family grievances.

Ali Bongo Ondimba was set to extend his presidential tenure into a third term when mutinous soldiers seized power in a coup. Analysts weren't surprised, as sentiments to end the Bongo dynasty had been growing for years.

In the aftermath of the coup in Gabon on Wednesday, videos have emerged that appear to show officials being caught red-handed with suitcases stuffed full of cash. Emerald Maxwell takes a look at what we know about the arrest of several people in the entourage of Gabon's deposed President Ali Bongo for alleged corruption and treason.

Gabonese hope for jobs, eventual civilian rule following military coup

The regional bloc CCAS, and the country's opposition coalition, have urged international partners to push for a rapid return to civilian rule. Also in this edition: In Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 48 protesters are reported to have been killed in the eastern city of Goma. And finally: In South Africa, the death toll rises to 76 after the devastating Johannesburg fire at an abandoned apartment block that housed dozens of homeless people and squatters.

General Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as Gabon's interim president on Monday in a ceremony designed to portray the military as liberators of an oppressed society.

Niger's military rulers are reopening the country's airspace after seizing power on July 26. The junta previously cited the threat of military intervention from the West African bloc ECOWAS as the reason for the closure.

As a former colony of France in Africa, Gabon does not only have state structures based on the French model but the two economies are closely interwoven too.

Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the eldest son of ousted Gabonese president Ali Bongo, has been charged with corruption, embezzlement of public funds and money laundering. Several cabinet members were also indicted. Also in this edition: famine aid for Somalia is to be temporarily suspended after a UN probe found widespread theft and misuse of funds.