1,000 arrested in Gabon post-election violence

1,000 arrested in Gabon post-election violence

Police arrested 1,000 people as security forces fanned out across Gabon's capital Thursday after a night of riots and looting that erupted when President Ali Bongo was declared winner of disputed polls.

Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville late Wednesday, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

His victory is set to extend the Bongo family's almost 50-year rule over the small oil-rich nation.

Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces.

Ping said two people were killed and 19 hurt in a raid against his headquarters early Thursday, and the national police chief told AFP that more than 200 people had been arrested across the city for looting.

Police reported continued pillaging in outlying districts at midday Thursday.

But by mid-morning, security forces had sealed off the city centre, which was calm and otherwise deserted, with troops, police and anti-riot squads patrolling the streets.

Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya said between 600 to 800 people had been detained in Libreville and 200 to 300 in the rest of the country.

As Gabon descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged "maximum restraint" and Amnesty International warned against "excessive force."

Police chief Jean-Thierry Oye Zue said six officers had been killed in the post-vote riots and agreed there were "very probably" civilian injuries "given the violence with which they attacked us."

But he declined to give a total number of fatalities, saying "I cannot tell you that."

A Red Cross worker who gave his name as Gildas said one of 15 people injured who was brought in by an army truck had died on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear where Ping -- a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll winner -- had taken refuge.

A European diplomat said he was safe, however.

AFP / Marco Longari Gabonese police patrol the streets of the capital Libreville on September 1, 2016

Police arrested 1,000 people as security forces fanned out across Gabon's capital Thursday after a night of riots and looting that erupted when President Ali Bongo was declared winner of disputed polls.

Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville late Wednesday, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

His victory is set to extend the Bongo family's almost 50-year rule over the small oil-rich nation.

Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces.
AFP / Paz Pizarro, Alain Bommenel, Jonathan Jacobsen Presidential elections in Gabon: national results and by region

Ping said two people were killed and 19 hurt in a raid against his headquarters early Thursday, and the national police chief told AFP that more than 200 people had been arrested across the city for looting.

Police reported continued pillaging in outlying districts at midday Thursday.

But by mid-morning, security forces had sealed off the city centre, which was calm and otherwise deserted, with troops, police and anti-riot squads patrolling the streets.

- 'Excessive force' -
AFP / Marco Longari The charred rear of the National Assembly in Gabon's capital Libreville pictured on September 1, 2016 after it was torched the night before by protesters accusing the government of stealing the election

Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya said between 600 to 800 people had been detained in Libreville and 200 to 300 in the rest of the country.

As Gabon descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged "maximum restraint" and Amnesty International warned against "excessive force."

Police chief Jean-Thierry Oye Zue said six officers had been killed in the post-vote riots and agreed there were "very probably" civilian injuries "given the violence with which they attacked us."

But he declined to give a total number of fatalities, saying "I cannot tell you that."
AFP/File / Marco Longari Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping says President Ali Bong cheated in the polls

A Red Cross worker who gave his name as Gildas said one of 15 people injured who was brought in by an army truck had died on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear where Ping -- a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll winner -- had taken refuge.

A European diplomat said he was safe, however. Internet communications remained cut and the capital scarred by the night of rioting.

- 'Criminals' arrested -

The parliament building's facade was blackened by fire and its windows were smashed. Protesters had torn down its huge main gate and torched a sentry box at the entrance.

"Democracy doesn't sit well with an attack on parliament," Bongo said Thursday.

On the city's main artery, the Boulevard Triomphal -- the location of numerous government institutions and foreign embassies -- burnt-out buildings and cars could be seen, while makeshift barricades were still smouldering.

The army searched Ping's headquarters "from top to bottom," said an opposition leader, Didjob Ding Duvungui, who was being held for questioning.

Between 500 to 600 people were arrested there, he said.