Gabon's justice minister quits over government's lack of concern for peace

Gabon’s justice minister, Seraphin Moundounga, resigned from his post on Monday citing the government’s lack of concern about the ongoing unrest following the announcement of election results.

“Having noticed that the government was not responding to concerns about the need for peace and for the consolidation of democracy, I decided to step down from my functions as a member of government,” Moundounga told Radio France Internationale.

The Interior Minister last week declared incumbent Ali bongo Ondimba winner of the August 27 poll. The announcement led to opposition protests across the country.

Séraphin Moundounga- Gabon's 2nd vice PM, Minister for justice & human rights resigns from his post & ruling party pic.twitter.com/KWbQTUnRoW

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) September 5, 2016

The opposition led by former African union (AU) Commission chief Jean Ping, insist that the polls were rigged. Seven people have so far been killed in the protests with hundreds reported injured.

Several bodies including the AU, the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) have all called for restraint on the part of both parties in a bid to seek an amicable solution to the crisis.

France and the United States have also asked parties to desist from actions that will further worsen the tense situation in the country.