The Bongo family has governed the oil-rich equatorial African nation for five decades and long maintained close ties with former colonial master France. Diplomatic ties cooled after Ali Bongo was ...

Bongo ruled the oil-rich West African nation for 14 years until he was overthrown by military leaders in August last year moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election.

who mostly come from Mr Bongo's home region. Most of the capital remains calm, an eyewitness told the Reuters news agency. The French government and the African Union condemned the attempted coup.