In Gabon, Christians joined Muslims this week in praying for peace as the country held a month-long “national dialogue” aimed at paving the way for military leaders to hand over power to a civilian government.

Dozens of Christians were among some 700 civilians who attended this year’s Eid al-Fitr prayers on Wednesday at the central mosque in Libreville, Gabon’s capital, clerics said. Eid prayers mark the end of Ramadan.

Gabonese Muslim Grand Imam Tidjani Babagana told Gabonese state television that during the prayers he called for reconciliation, peace, moderation and internal harmony among citizens who were looking forward to changes in government leadership. He also reminded civilians waiting for the government to improve their living conditions that respect for state authority is a prescription in the Quran.

Babagana said that despite the challenges facing Gabon, Eid al-Fitr should be celebrated by both Muslims and Christians as a sign of brotherhood, interreligious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Worshipers who gathered for prayers said the country had suffered a wave of crime, including theft, since transitional president General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema ordered the release of more than 500 prisoners in late March. , assault and highway robbery.

The general seized power from President Ali Bongo in a bloodless coup last August. Nguema said he took power to improve living conditions in the oil-producing country, whose citizens remained poor despite 56 years of leadership by Ali Bongo and his father Omar Bongo.

Gabonese civil society groups say the Central African country now faces the challenge of transitioning to civilian rule. A transitional charter proposed by the general last November barred all members of the current government from standing as candidates in presidential elections, with the exception of Nguema.

This month, Nguema launched a so-called inclusive national dialogue that he said would develop an economic blueprint and organize a calendar for elections to transfer power to civilians.

Gabonese Diaspora President Bruno Nguema Ella participated in the Eid al-Fitr prayers. He said the opposition and civil society wanted Nguema to reassure civilians that he would not remain in power.

Ella said the Gabonese diaspora was pleased with Nguema’s efforts to prevent the Bongo dynasty from remaining in power, adding that the transitional government should ensure that power is handed over to civilians to avoid Gabon falling into social unrest and political crisis.

Firman Maurice Nguema, one of the committee’s spokespersons who will chair discussions at Gabon’s national dialogue, said General Nguema was committed to providing Gabon with functioning state institutions before handing over power to the constitutional order. He said Nguema wanted Gabon to be a peaceful country where democratic choices and the rights and freedoms of civilians were respected.

Christians took part in festivals in the Central African country this week along with Muslims, the transitional government said. Muslim clerics said nationwide prayers were for peace and to restore constitutional order and avoid chaos.