Libreville:
Gabon’s opposition leader said security forces killed two people and hurt 19 in a raid against his headquarters today, as violence erupted after President Ali Bongo was declared the 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.
Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces.
Police deployed near the parliament building fired tear gas canisters today to stop people gathering there.
As the country descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged “maximum restraint” and Amnesty International warned against “excessive force.”
By mid-morning today, security forces had sealed off the city centre, which was calm and otherwise deserted, and were making arrests around the opposition headquarters, AFP journalists said.
Two trucks packed with dozens of detainees who raised their fists and chanted the national anthem were seen being driven off for questioning, they said.
Police chief Jean-Thierry Oye Zue told AFP that more than 200 people had been arrested across town for looting. He said looting was “currently continuing in the poorer districts.” Telephone and internet communications were cut.
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.
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.
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.
Security forces had surrounded the opposition headquarters overnight and stormed the building, killing two and injuring more than a dozen there, Ping told AFP.
“They attacked around 1:00 am (0000 GMT). It is the Republican Guard. They were bombarding with helicopters and then they attacked on the ground. There are 19 people injured, some of them very seriously,” said Ping, who was not himself at the party headquarters.
The president of the opposition National Union party, Zacharie Myboto, who was inside the besieged building, said security forces were hurling tear gas canisters and had opened fire.
