STUTTGART, Germany — A failed coup attempt in the central African nation of Gabon hasn’t yet changed the mission of U.S. troops deployed there last week in response to potential violence in the nearby Democratic Republic of the Congo, U.S. Africa Command said Monday.
On Friday, the White House said it had ordered about 80 combat-equipped military personnel to Gabon amid concerns that elections in Congo would result in violent clashes and possibly pose a threat to U.S. diplomatic assets. However, on Monday members of Gabon’s military launched a coup attempt and seized control of state radio in the country. Later in the day, Gabon’s government said four of five mutiny ringleaders had been arrested.