On Monday 5 September, the European Union welcomed the mediation offered by the African Union and the UN’s commitment to attempt to ease post-election violence in Gabon following the challenged victory of president Ali Bongo in the presidential elections.
In a joint press release, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini, and cooperation and development commissioner Neven Mimica say that growing international mobilisation is encouraging, and the availability of president Idriss Deby, acting chair of the African Union, bears witness to their determination to aid the Gabonese parties in their search for a fair and peaceful solution to the crisis.
The EU also welcomes the work of the UN secretary general’s special representative, Abdoulaye Bathily. The EU reiterated the importance of reaching an end to the electoral process in full transparency in order to restore trust among the Gabonese people and ensure legitimacy of power.
It stresses the need to pursue efforts to restore peace, such as restoring means of communication and fair treatment of the hundreds of people arrested, which is a source of great concern. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)