UN To Look Into Political Situation In Gabon – Official

UN To Look Into Political Situation In Gabon – Official

The United Nations says it is consulting on the political situation in Gabon, where the opposition party leader declared himself president and named a parallel government.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky confirmed to newsmen in New York that Mr. Andre Mba Obame, leader of the “Union Nationale” party, along with 19 party leaders, had sought refugee in the UN compound in Libreville, the capital city.

“Obame handed a letter to the Resident Coordinator in Gabon requesting UN's protection, saying that they feared for their lives if they stepped outside the UN office”. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Gabon slammed treason charges on Obame, a parliamentarian and former foreign minister, after he declared himself president citing the example of Cote d' Ivoire.

The party leader ran to the UN office in the capital Libreville and said he would not leave until the UN responded to his demand for recognition.

The opposition leader has repeatedly claimed he won the disputed August 2009 election, which official results gave to Ali Bongo, son of Omar Bongo Ondimba.

The Gabonese government announced that it would also seek to strip Obame of his parliamentary immunity when the National Assembly reconvenes on Friday.

Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded his Father, Omar Bongo as President of Gabon, after the former died in office in 2009.

Omar Bongo was President of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009.

During his father's presidency, Ali was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991 and represented Bongoville as a Deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999.

NAN/Margaret/Yinka