Friday 4 September 2009 was an important day in Gabon's history. On this day it was revealed that Ali Bongo, the eldest son of late Omar Bongo, became the new president of the country. The official results were questioned by both Mamboundou and Mba Obame, as they called for their supporters to stand up to the fraud (according to many Bongo did not win the elections).The riots started in Port Gentil, Gabon's second city and always a hot spot politically. The French Consulate was burned and the inmates of the local prison were set free. Some people were injured during the manifestations and two of them died. The authorities introduced curfew and there was even talk of martial law.
Libreville, on the other hand, remained relatively calm. Unnaturally calm, one could say. There were a few manifestations, people shouting, police intervening (quite brutally, apparently). The streets remained completely empty. No taxis, no pedestrians, no people at the beach, shops closed. At every gas station you could see a couple of soldiers with their guns at the ready. It was not very smart to be outside (even more so because - have I told you? - we're white), so we spent four days locked up at home, watching the empty empty Bord de Mer from our terrace. We drank wine.
Everything seems to be more or less back to normal now, after only a few days. People work, schools and shops have been opened again, even Port Gentil has calmed down quite a bit. You might think nothing major's happened. But the truth is that - regardless of the fact if Ali won or didn't really win the elections - Gabon is giving up an important opportunity for a change. And even though above anything I want to remain safe, I feel slightly disappointed that it's done now, game over, just like that.
A lesson of democracy? Not quite yet.
Photo: www.ali9.org
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