Ten years after Gabon’s post-election violence, painful questions remain

Barricades on a street following an election protest in Libreville, Gabon, on 1 September 2016. © Joel Bouopda / AP

Ten years on, victims of violence that followed president Ali Bongo’s disputed re-election in Gabon are still demanding truth and justice. Questions also remain over the possible involvement of French nationals and the response of the French authorities.

The crisis erupted on the night of 31 August to 1 September 2016, after Bongo was declared the winner of a highly contested presidential election against opposition leader Jean Ping.