Ten years after deadly violence erupted following Gabon’s disputed 2016 presidential election, survivors and families of victims are renewing calls for truth, justice, and state accountability.

The deadly unrest broke out after election authorities declared incumbent President Ali Bongo the winner over opposition candidate Jean Ping. Security forces subsequently stormed Ping’s campaign headquarters in Libreville, sparking days of clashes across the capital. To date, the total number of fatalities remains unverified, with rights groups arguing official figures severely understated the loss of life.

With Gabon now under transitional authority following the August 2023 military coup that ended the Bongo family’s decades-long rule, pressure is mounting on the new leadership to reopen formal inquiries into the post-election violence, including scrutiny over the extent of French diplomatic and security involvement during the crisis.

–ChannelAfrica–