On Saturday August 26, violent clashes erupted at the Gabonese Embassy in Rabat, Morocco, on the sidelines of the presidential, legislative and local elections taking place in the country. Gabonese students who wanted to attend the counting of the ballots were violently expelled by the Moroccan police.
The videos that circulated on social networks testify to the violence of the situation. You can see protesters throwing objects at the embassy, as well as clashes between students and police inside the building.
According to one of the witnesses, the students had initially been prevented from attending the counting by the Gabonese police officers present on the spot. Moroccan authorities then demanded that only three people be allowed to stay to watch the count, which angered the students. In accordance with the Electoral Code, the count should normally be public and accessible to all citizens.
Faced with student resistance, the Moroccan police intervened using force, and some demonstrators were even arrested. The Gabonese opposition quickly reacted by accusing the government of electoral fraud.
The results of the presidential election in Gabon are still unknown to this day, and the incident at the embassy in Rabat adds further tension to an already tense electoral process.
This event highlights the multiple challenges that African countries often face during elections, such as transparency issues, accusations of fraud and social tensions. It also stresses the importance of respecting democratic principles and guaranteeing freedom of expression and the participation of citizens in electoral processes.
Hopefully Gabon will find a peaceful and just solution to resolve electoral disputes and ensure a transparent democratic transition. It is crucial that all actors involved act responsibly and respect the will of the Gabonese people expressed through the ballot box