Army officers of the African nation of Gabon have asserted on national television that they have taken power and invalidated Saturday's election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.

Twelve soldiers appeared on TV to say they were nullifying the results of the contested election, which would end Bongo's family's 53-year rule over the country. One soldier added that the country's borders would be closed "until further notice."

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"We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime," the soldier said, saying the decision was made due to "irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos," per the BBC.

The soldiers added that they were disbanding "all the institutions of the republic." Reports surfaced that loud gunfire could be heard in the country's capital of Libreville shortly after the broadcast.

Bongo's opposition in Saturday's election claimed the election lacked credibility, alleging interference by Bongo and a purposeful withholding of information, including barring foreign journalists from reporting on the vote.

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If successful, the coup would represent the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020, Reuters reported. Niger is the most recent country to face a seizure of power, alarming partners to the now-former government, such as the United States, who fear the ramifications of an upheaval in the turbulent region.

Gabon is located in west-central Africa along the Atlantic Coast.