Former AU chief accused of inciting 'civil war' in Gabon

The former Chairman of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping has been caught up in controversy back home in Gabon.

In a viral video on social media, Ping, who is also a candidate in the country’s August presidential poll was heard inciting violence against a group he described as “cockroaches”.

The comment has angered the country’s top officials including the Council of Ministers who have condemned Ping’s comment in the strongest term saying it conveys hatred and violence.

A government spokesperson in a statement said the former AU Commission Chair has called for a “civil war” as well as the elimination of a section of the Gabonese population he describes as “cockroaches”.

The government has drawn parallels between his comments and those of Adolf Hitler which led to the killing of over 6 million Jews in concentration camps and the genocide in Rwanda.

Reports say the government intends to drag Jean Ping to court over his comments.

The former diplomat who joined the presidential race earlier this year has however not commented on the controversy generated by his said comments.