Aftermath of Gabon Violence
2009-9-8 2:52
The people of Gabon in Africa have a major clean up on their hands. Days of violent clashes after election results have left the streets looking like a bomb site. Let’s take a look.
Gabon residents cleaned up the streets of Port Gentile on Monday. Security forces clashed with gangs of protesters in the country's oil hub for three days, after a disputed election brought the son of the late leader Omar Bongo to power.
The victory of Ali Ben Bongo in last Sunday's poll triggered widespread looting and attacks on the interests of ex-colonial power France. Shops were stripped of food and other supplies, after the election result was announced on Thursday.
Protesters also burnt down a social club owned by the French company Total. The French Consulate was also attacked.
[Justine Obame, Market Trader]:
"I don't even know how this whole thing started. We are very worried about it, look, everything, all of our merchandise has gone up in the smoke.”
France had strong ties with Omar Bongo and is perceived by some Gabonese opposition supporters to have helped his son rig the election, something both Ben Bongo and Paris have denied.
Violence seemed to have subsided and the streets were calm on Monday as heavy security presence deployed across town.
Burnt vehicles and debris were scattered along the streets as market traders and vendors started clearing debris, hoping to open their shops soon.
[Abdallah Abdallah, Shop Owner]:
"The state should take responsibility for everything that happened here, because they haven't sent the security forces to the markets. They gave us the results (but) they haven't guaranteed the security here in the markets.”
Ben Bongo has appealed for an end to the unrest. His ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has even dropped hints that it’s prepared to work in government with rivals.
