Benin to protect its citizens in Gabon in case of post-poll chaos

The Beninese government has taken measures to protect its citizens living in Gabon against any eventual post-election violence, according to a government statement.

"To preserve the lives and properties of our fellow citizens living in Gabon, in case of any outbreak of post-election violence in that nation, the government has taken some preventive security measures in liaison with other diplomatic missions accredited to Libreville and some civil society organizations," said the statement issued on Sunday.

"An inter-ministerial commission has equally been put in place to closely monitor the effectiveness of the measures taken," the statement continued.

According to the statement, before Gabon's presidential elections on Aug. 27, Benin's government sent a special mission to Libreville between Aug. 14 to 17, to monitor any threats of violence against Beninese community.

"Looking at the mission's report, it is clear that the fears expressed were real but were not uniquely linked to the electoral period," the statement said.

Ten candidates contested for Saturday's elections, including incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba who is facing stiff competition from Jean Ping, the former chairman of the African Union Commission.

In April 2015, Benin's Embassy in Libreville was burnt down by protesters following the death of Gabon's opposition leader Andre Mba Obame. Endit