A French weekly has reported that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs obstructed an investigation regarding the post-election violence in Gabon in 2016, providing significantly less documentation than requested.
A recent report by the French weekly Marianne claims that the Quai d'Orsay, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has hindered an ongoing investigation into crimes against humanity related to the violent aftermath of the 2016 election crisis in Gabon. This investigation, which focuses on the violent actions following the disputed elections, has been seeking full disclosure of relevant documents to shed light on the events that transpired during that tumultuous period.
The allegations include that the Quai d'Orsay only supplied 35 out of 315 requested documents related to the violence in Gabon. This lack of cooperation raises concerns about France's commitment to transparency and justice in dealing with issues involving former colonies and their post-colonial conflicts. A leaked internal document from the ministry apparently expresses concern about the optics of covering up violence from 2016.
As the legal authorities continue to push for further inquiry, the Office for the Fight Against Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes is intensifying its demands for all correspondence with the French embassy in Libreville during the crisis. This situation highlights the complexities of France's diplomatic relationship with Gabon, particularly in the context of human rights violations and accountability for past actions, which are becoming increasingly critical in the international discourse on human rights.
