Gabon: Police disperse opposition protest September 4

Event

Police forces reportedly dispersed at least 300 opposition supporters demonstrating in Libreville on Monday, September 4. The protesters - supporters of the opposition leader and former presidential candidate Jean Ping - gathered in front of opposition headquarters and intended to march to the airport. It is unclear if any arrests were made. Further protests are likely in the coming days.

Context

Widespread unrest followed the August 2016 presidential elections, which saw Ali Bongo re-elected for a second seven-year term by a narrow margin amid allegations of a rigged vote. Ping has since contested the results. Although the security situation has largely stabilized, tensions remain high across the country and are compounded by a poor economic situation.

Gabon has recently witnessed an increase in political violence, especially in the capital Libreville. Several homes belonging to members of the political opposition were reportedly attacked in June. Furthermore, opposition politician (and former presidential candidate) Roland Désiré Aba'a Minko was arrested in Libreville in June, several hours after armed supporters stormed local television stations and broadcast a message from Minko issuing an ultimatum for President Ali Bongo Ondimba to step down within 72 hours. Ping, as well as other opposition leaders, have reportedly been prevented from leaving the country over the weekend of September 2-3. According to a government spokesperson, this temporary measure is in response to what authorities perceive as an opposition call for “disturbance to the public order." On August 25, rallies in support of Ping took place in several cities throughout the country, leading to several arrests and security force interventions in Libreville and Port-Gentil.

Advice

All those present in Gabon are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation and avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, which can flare up with little warning.