War crimes prosecutor to examine situation after government request

September 29, 2016 5:15 PM

Fatou Bensouda said she would review available information before deciding whether to open a formal investigation.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda waits for former Congo vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba to enter the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, September 29, 2015.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Thursday she has begun a preliminary examination into the situation in Gabon at the request of the country's government.

Fatou Bensouda said in a statement she would review available information before deciding whether to open a formal investigation.

Gabon's President Ali Bongo, whose family has ruled the oil-producing central African country for nearly five decades, was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday. His narrow and disputed victory in August elections sparked violent protests.