1,000 arrested in Gabon over election unrest

Around 1,000 people have been arrested in Gabon following unrest that occurred after the incumbent president was declared winner in the presidential election.

AFP news agency reports, quoted the interior minister of Gabon as saying that 1,000 people had been arrested.

“In Libreville, between 600 and 800 people have been detained, with 200 to 300 in the rest of the country,” Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya said at a press conference shortly after President Ali Bongo’s TV address, AFP adds.

Earlier, Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo addressed a press conference as unrest continues across the country following his disputed election victory.

“Democracy doesn’t sit well with self-proclaimed victory, with groups formed to cause destruction. Democracy is not compatible with an attack on [the building of] national TV and on parliament,” he said.

“My love for Gabon and the relationship that binds me to it have led me to propose a double project for the country.

“This project can be summed up in two words: ‘democracy and progress. The two are linked, because progress is a collective project. This project, which is close to my heart, has led me to scrupulously follow the electoral code and never to interfere with it,” he said.

He goes on to discuss the violence that has broken out since his victory was announced, saying that: “I would like to express my sadness at the death of some of our fellow citizens. We need to put progress back on track in all our towns and villages. We will take all the decisions needed to guarantee our country’s security. We’re talking about the future of Gabon. We are going to write it together.”