One Thousand People Arrested in Post-Election Riots in Gabon

Following the announcement of Ali Bongo's victory in the Gabon presidential election, which led to widespread riots on Wednesday, security forces in the country arrested about 1,000 people on Thursday, September 1. According to AFP, after Ali Bongo's victory was announced with a narrow margin over his opponent, thousands of angry protesters took to the streets on Wednesday evening, accusing the government of electoral fraud. With Ali Bongo's victory, the rule of his family in this small, oil-rich African country will reach approximately 50 years. During the confrontation between protesters and heavily armed security forces, gunfire could be heard, and parts of the parliament building caught fire. Jean Ping, Mr. Bongo's rival, stated that during the security forces' raid on his headquarters, two people were killed and 19 others injured. Police officials also told AFP that about 200 people were arrested across the capital for looting stores. The police continued to pursue and arrest protesters in the suburbs of the capital on Thursday afternoon. Security forces took control of downtown Libreville, the capital, on Thursday morning, cutting off traffic. This area was generally calm but completely devoid of people. Riot police and military personnel were patrolling the streets. The Gabonese Minister of Interior stated that between 600 to 800 people were arrested in Libreville and about 200 to 300 others in other parts of Gabon. As unrest spread in Gabon, the European Union called for calm in the country. France, Gabon's former colonial power, urged all parties to show 'utmost restraint,' and Amnesty International warned of excessive repression of protesters. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, also called for the immediate release of detainees. The Gabonese police chief stated that six police officers were killed during the riots following the election results and acknowledged that 'given the violence that protesters were using against the police, it is likely that civilian casualties also occurred.' He refused to disclose the number of civilian casualties and injuries. AFP reported that according to a Red Cross worker, of the 15 injured who were transferred to the hospital by a military truck on Thursday, one person died. It is still unclear where Jean Ping, the rival of the Gabonese president, is hiding. He is a seasoned diplomat and a former official of the African Union. Ali Bongo's lead over his opponent was about 1.5 percent, or less than six thousand votes. The election results are considered 'provisional' until confirmed by the Constitutional Court. A European diplomat said Mr. Ping is in a safe place. The internet has been cut off, and the signs of the riots and looting from Wednesday night are clearly visible in the capital of Gabon. The facade of the parliament building is blackened due to the fire, and its windows are broken. Protesters have destroyed the massive gate of this building. On one of the main highways of the city, where most government institutions and embassies are located, several burned buildings and vehicles can be seen, and some of the barricades set up by the protesters remain. The government states that the aim of the police operation is to arrest rebels and looters who attacked the parliament and government buildings.