Gabon: Protests over CFA currency September 16

Event

An unidentified number of youths were dispersed by the police after protesting in Libreville on Saturday, September 16, to denounce the use of the West African CFA franc. The protesters also denounced the September 6 expulsion of Franco-Beninese activist Kémi Seba from Senegal for burning a CFA franc banknote during a demonstration against the "Françafrique."

Further protests in Gabon and other West African countries are likely in the coming weeks.

Context

Opponents of the CFA franc view the currency as a continuation of colonial policies. Seba currently lives in Paris and presents himself as "political chronicler." He was arrested on August 25 in Senegal for burning a CFA franc banknote after the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) filed a complaint. The BCEAO issues the CFA franc, the currency of 14 Francophone countries in the western and central parts of the African continent.

Similar protests were held on September 16 in Cotonou (Benin), Dakar (Senegal), and Bamako (Mali).

Advice

Individuals in Gabon are advised to avoid all demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.