Gabon: Ten years after the 2016 post-election crisis, victims demand truth and justice

Ten years after Gabon’s 2016 post-election crisis, victims of the violence continue to demand that the full truth about the events be established and that justice be done. The true toll of this episode, described as the worst post-election crisis in the country’s history, has still not been determined.

On the night of August 31 to September 1, 2016, the announcement of Ali Bongo’s hotly disputed re-election was followed by an armed assault on the headquarters of his opponent, Jean Ping. The episode marked the beginning of a week of chaos in Libreville.

A week of violence in Libreville

Gabon’s capital was then hit by looting and a crackdown described as fierce. Ten years on, the exact scale of the human consequences of the violence remains unknown.

The absence of a precise toll has fuelled expectations among those affected by the crisis, who are demanding answers about what happened during that period.

Victims have had a more visible voice since 2023

The change of regime in 2023 has enabled victims to speak out more freely. However, based on the information available, their demands for truth and justice are still struggling to receive consideration.

On the occasion of this tenth anniversary, the question of establishing the facts and taking victims into account therefore remains unresolved.