Ali Bongo, ousted president of Gabon, has asked the public to “make noise” against the coupists who took over political power in the country.

Mr Bongo sought the public’s help in a video released on the microblogging X, hours after coupists ousted and detained him in a coup d’etat in the early hours of Wednesday.

“I want to send a message to all friends all over the world to tell them to make the noise…(sic),” said Mr Bongo. “Make noise, for the people here have arrested me.”

His cry for help came days after his government cut the internet in the country and imposed a 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew from Sunday. This was as polls for his third-term bid were wrapping up.

The country’s Communications Minister, Rodrigue Bissawou, announced the decision was to curb the spread of fake news and violence following complaints of delays in voting.

In 2009, Mr Bongo took over power after the demise of his father, Omar Bongo.

The senior Gabonese military officers announced that they had taken power and detained Mr Bongo, ending his family’s 56 years of control of government in the country.

The military coup came minutes after the state election body declared the winner of Saturday’s general election.

Declaring their takeover of power, the military coupists said on national TV that they represented all security and defence forces in the Central African nation.

They introduced themselves as the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions.