Gabon: Police disperse opposition supporters near Libreville Airport July 25

Event

Supporters of opposition politician and former presidential candidate Jean Ping were dispersed by police on Tuesday, July 25, as they attempted to greet Ping at Libreville International Airport (LBV) upon his return from his two-week tour of Africa, the United States, and Europe. According to local accounts, police used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds and blocked access on the main road leading to the airport as they made their way to LBV ahead of Ping's scheduled arrival shortly before 17:00 (local time). Ping subsequently decided to walk from the airport to his headquarters on foot, accompanied by his supporters, who were reportedly chanting "Jean Ping president." According to government officials, they had received no request for the rally to welcome Ping at the airport (despite assertions on social media that the demonstration had been approved), and the gathering was therefore unauthorized and illegal. No major outbreaks of violence have been reported.

Although airport operations do not appear to be affected by Tuesday's unrest, road access to LBV may be limited in the coming hours.

Context

Widespread unrest followed the August 2016 presidential elections, which saw President Ali Bongo reelected by a narrow margin amid allegations of a rigged vote. More recently, political violence is increasing in frequency in Gabon, especially in the capital city of Libreville. Several homes belonging to members of the political opposition were attacked with Molotov cocktails in the past few months. On June 25, a gang reportedly entered the residence of opposition figure Michel Menga and set fire to his car. Another gang has reportedly burned the cars of a former government minister, Paul Malékou. Furthermore, opposition politician (and former presidential candidate) Roland Désiré Aba'a Minko was arrested in Libreville on June 16, several hours after armed supporters stormed local television stations and broadcast a message from Minko in which he demanded the departure of President Bongo and claimed to have set bombs in various government buildings. Minko also asserted that Jean Ping, the second-place finisher in last year's controversial election, was the legitimate leader of the country. However, Jean Ping issued a statement denouncing the action.

Meanwhile, there are increasing tensions among the Gabonese diaspora in the United States and in France. President Ali Bongo and his entourage were targeted by acts of harassment during travel in Europe and the US in the past weeks. Many members of the Gabonese diaspora still do not accept the re-election of Ali Bongo as legitimate and have vowed to "humiliate" him. Both the government and the opposition blame each other for high political tensions and the prevailing violent national climate.

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. Those holding reservations for flights out of LBV are advised to allow for extra time to reach the airport and to contact their airlines or the airport for further information.