Gabon's Justice Minister orders inquiry into alleged arbitrary detention of activist Jeff Blampain and his 3-year-old son
Gabon's Minister of Justice, Augustin Emane, has instructed the public prosecutor in Libreville to open an investigation into allegations of arbitrary arrest, detention, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and threats against activist Jeff Blampain. The human rights organization SOS Prisonniers Gabon SPG had referred the case to the minister, detailing events that allegedly occurred on April 27, 2026. According to SPG, Blampain, a former opponent of Ali Bongo, was reportedly apprehended around 11 AM at the premises of TaxiGab+ by agents of the Directorate General of Special Services DGSS, accompanied by his three-year-old son. He claims he and his child were held for nearly ten hours, until 9 PM, without access to water or food, and was subsequently interrogated without being informed of the reasons or legal basis for his detention. SOS Prisonniers Gabon emphasizes that these are currently allegations and has called for a "prompt, impartial, independent, and effective" inquiry. The organization believes that if established, these facts could constitute several criminal offenses, citing Article 12 of the Constitution, which prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and Article 395 of the Penal Code concerning arbitrary arrest or detention. They also invoke international human rights instruments, including the UN Convention Against Torture and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The alleged presence of a three-year-old child during the detention, and t
