U S State Department

GABON 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS Report U S State Department

Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government dominated by the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which has held power since 1968. On August 31, the National Electoral Commission announced incumbent president Ali Bongo Ondimba defeated opponent Jean Ping in the August 27 election by a margin of less than 2 percent of the vote. Observers noted numerous irregularities, including a highly questionable vote count in Bongo's home province. The government forcibly dispersed violent demonstrations that followed the election. Observers characterized the 2011 legislative elections as generally free and fair, although some opposition parties boycotted them, citing the government's inability to provide for full transparency and prevent voter irregularities. PDG candidates won 114 of 120 seats in the National Assembly. Civilian authorities generally maintained control over the security forces, but at times abuse and lapses of discipline occurred. The most important human rights problems in the country were harsh prison conditions, lengthy pretrial detention, and arbitrary arrests, particularly following the disputed August 27 election.