Major market burns in Gabon capital

Firefighters today battled a blaze at the heart of Libreville, Gabon’s capital, the latest incident in a nation already reeling from post-election violence.

Security forces, including the elite presidential guard, rushed to help firefighters contain the flames at the Mont-Mbout Market, which witnesses say began at about 11pm local time.

Several cities in Gabon descended into post-election violence as angry voters burned tires and set fire to shops after learning that Ali Bongo, son of the country’s late dictator Omar Bongo, had won the August 30 presidential race.