By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United&nbsp;States has concluded that a military&nbsp;coup&nbsp;has taken place in&nbsp;Gabon, the U.S.&nbsp;State&nbsp;Department&nbsp;said on Monday, adding it was suspending most U.S. assistance to the African country's government.
THE TAKE
Gabon&nbsp;army officers seized power on Aug. 30, annulling an election minutes after an announcement that President Ali Bongo had won, which they said was not credible. Bongo, in power since 2009, had succeeded his father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 42 years.
The United&nbsp;States said in late September it was pausing some foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of&nbsp;Gabon. On Monday, the&nbsp;State&nbsp;Department&nbsp;said it was suspending most U.S. assistance to the government. However, it added that humanitarian, health, and education assistance will continue.
KEY QUOTES
"The United&nbsp;States has concluded that a military&nbsp;coup&nbsp;d&rsquo;&eacute;tat has taken place in&nbsp;Gabon," a U.S.&nbsp;State&nbsp;Department&nbsp;spokesperson said.
"Pursuant to section 7008 of the&nbsp;Department&nbsp;of&nbsp;State&rsquo;s annual appropriations act, the United&nbsp;States is suspending most U.S. assistance to the Government of&nbsp;Gabon."
CONTEXT
The junta in&nbsp;Gabon&nbsp;had promised to oversee free and fair elections, but has not given a precise timetable for organising them.
A 24-month transition to elections in&nbsp;Gabon&nbsp;would be "reasonable" after the&nbsp;coup, junta-appointed Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima was quoted as saying by French news agency AFP in September.
The Bongo family's dynastic rule in the Central African oil producer had created widespread discontent, with critics saying the Bongos did little to share&nbsp;Gabon's wealth with its 2.3 million people.
The African Union suspended&nbsp;Gabon's membership following the&nbsp;coup.
&nbsp;
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

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US officially concludes Gabon underwent a coup, State Department says