AFRICA/GABON - Bishops launch an appeal for international mediation to end the crisis

Libreville (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Gabon call for the intervention of an international mediator to bring the Country out of political crisis following the disputed victory of President Ali Bongo Ondimba in the presidential elections of 27 August (see Fides 01 and 03/09/2016).
In a message to the nation signed by His Exc. Mgr. Basile Mve Engone, Archbishop of Libreville, sent to Agenzia Fides, says that "in the face of opposing positions, we are inspired to African wisdom, according to which when two brothers fight, it is essential to involve a third party as a mediator".
After recalling that Gabon has exercised this role in several African crises, Mgr. Mve Engone says: "our Country has to rely on the mediation of organizations and international institutions to preserve unity, justice and peace".
The Archbishop in particular addresses the UN, African Union and European Union, which "had committed themselves to fund the electoral process" and to "fully carry out their role in helping Gabon to emerge from the crisis".
In the riots that followed the announcement of Bongo's victory, there have been several deaths and several injuries, as well as material damage.
In expressing the Bishops pain over the loss of lives, Mgr. Mve Engone invites "all the living forces of the nation, the majority and the opposition, to find the wisdom to immediately exit from the crisis".
Meanwhile, France has called for a new recount of the votes, while the Minister of Justice Seraphin Moundounga, resigned to protest against the re-election of President Bongo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/09/2016)

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