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Gabon

Gabon: Civil Unrest (Election Preparedness) Emergency Plan of Action n° MDRGA007

Attachments

Situation analysis

Description of the Disaster

In Gabon, since the 1990 National Conference, which saw the establishment of a multi political party system, the electoral process has always been contested. In some instances, this has led to violence between security forces and supporters of parties opposing the election results. In August 2009, the results of the presidential election, led to demonstrations, destruction of property and loss of life in the cities of Libreville, Oyem and Port-Gentil. On 28 August 2016, Presidential election is planned in Gabon, which is expected to be stormy. Since 2009, the political situation in Gabon has remained volatile. It has been worsened by the death of a leading member of the opposition, resignations from the ruling party, as well as resistance to the candidature of the incumbent President to seek for re-election in 2016. In the capital of Libreville, reports of demonstrations and destruction of property in connection with the elections has been cited. On 9 July 2016, in protest of the submission of the candidature of the incumbent President, unidentified opposition supporters clashed with participants of the march in support of the President and property was set on burned. It is therefore critical that additional preparations are made to respond to any violence which may occur, before and during the electoral process.