AU ready to intervene in Gabon crisis if ... - Idriss Deby

The African Union (AU) said on Monday it was ready to send a delegation to Gabon, where days of post-election violence has led to unrest.

“A high-level delegation composed of African Heads of State, accompanied by senior officials of the AU Commission and the United Nations, is ready to be dispatched to Libreville, as soon as the conditions for such a visit are met,” said the president of the AU, Chadian President Idriss Deby, in a statement.

Deby disclosed that the AU continues to follow the situation in Gabon and he maintains a constant liaison with the Gabonese main actors, as well as with other stakeholders concerned.

AUChair, Pres. Idriss D.Itno, reaffirms the readiness of AU to contribute towards the search for a solut'n in #Gabon https://t.co/sX4D7Nhsmf

— African Union Peace (@AU_PSD) September 5, 2016

‘‘The Chair of the Union reaffirms, once again, the readiness of the AU, with the support of the countries of the region and partners concerned, to assist the parties in Gabon in their search for a rapid settlement to the post-election situation that prevails in their country,’‘ the statement added.

Gabon’s post election violence has reportedly claimed about five lives with hundreds sustaining injuries. The violence started after the announcement of Ali Bongo as winner of the August 27 presidential polls.

The opposition led by former African Union (AU) chairperson, Jean Ping, has rejected the results as declared by the electoral body and affirmed by the Interior minister. The country’s parliament was burnt down supposedly by Ping loyalists.

The campaign headquarters of Ping was ransacked by security operatives leading to the death of two people. Some 23 people who were held at the premises were released after calls by the United Nations to that effect.