AFRICA/GABON - Heavy clashes in Libreville after the death of a prominent opposition figure

Libreville (Agenzia Fides) - Unrest in Libreville, capital of Gabon, after the announcement of the death of André Mba Obame, one of the leading opponents in the Country. The death occurred in Yaounde, Cameroon. He was about to go to South Africa to seek medical treatment. André Mba Obame had been ill for three years and no longer appeared in public for some time.
After the news of the death spread on Sunday, April 12, there have been incidents in the streets of Libreville, between the police and supporters of Andre Mba Obame, that accused the Gabonese power of having "cast a spell". Demonstrators set fire to cars and buildings and attacked the local embassy of Benin. The Gabonese opposition contests in fact the Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency, Maixent Accrombessi, a native of Benin. The authorities of Benin have submitted a formal protest with regards to the assault on the embassy. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/04/2015)