Gabon's political crisis reached new heights on February 10, as students protested at Omar Bongo University in the capital city, Libreville. Whereas riots last week involved mainly the opposition, the confrontation appears to be developing into a wider social conflict.
Following protests last week, tensions remain high in the West African nation of Gabon, as further demonstrations are now stifled by the authorities before they can take place. The country's official government has been accused of election fraud by an 'unofficial' opposition government.
The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.
On December 30, 2010 Antoine Ganne writes in an article on afrik.com citing Wikileaks : ” nearly 30 millions euros were diverted from the Bank of the Central African States...
Adriankoto Harinjaka Ratozamanana, a Global Voices in Malagasy translator, went to Gabon to help report the presidential election on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs in a country where journalists are at risk. Here is his story.
Gabon's political opposition present a united front against the August election results, which handed the son of former dictator Omar Bongo the presidency. Politicians and citizens alike speak out against France's meddling in the country's politics.
As Gabon prepares for its first election since the death of Omar Bongo, one candidate, whose rivals who include the current prime minister, Jean Eyeghe Ndong, and Bongo's own son, is using social media to level the playing field.
Sunday night, French media announced the death of President Omar Bongo of Gabon, who had spent 41 of his 73 years in power. Bloggers write about Gabon after Bongo and what Bongo's death means for Francafrique.
A Parisian judge has ordered an inquiry into alleged corruption and embezzlement on the part of three African heads of state: Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Omar Bongo of Gabon, and Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.
The attempted suicide of one man in the city of Sidi Bouzid in southern Tunisia in December 2010 to protest joblessness, sparked a popular uprising in defiance of the government of President Ben Ali. Clashes between protesters and security forces lasted for nearly a month. Ben Ali resigned and fled the country on 14 January, 2011.
