JNN 28 Jan 2011 : Gabon security forces have fired tear gas and arrested dozens of supporters of opposition leader Andre Mba Obame at a protest in the capital Libreville.

“There was tear gas fired. There have been people injured and about 30 arrests,” Michel Ongoundou, appointed defense minister in the “government” that Obame controversially declared on Tuesday, said about clashes that erupted on Thursday, AFP reported.

Ongoundou added that soldiers and paramilitary gendarmes broke into lines of protesters at dawn as they marched in the streets on Thursday.

Gabon dissolved the central African country’s main opposition party on Wednesday, accusing Obame of treason for declaring himself president in a swearing-in ceremony before supporters.

The disbanding of the National Union (UN), announced by Gabon’s Interior Ministry, marks a step up in tensions in the African country since Ali Bongo Ondimba took over from his father Omar in 2009 after a disputed election.

Obame, who is Executive Secretary of UN party, says he won the poll and declared himself “president” late Tuesday.

“Let us assume our responsibilities,” Obame told thousands of his supporters at a swearing-in ceremony staged at the headquarters of the UN party in Libreville.

“We are no less brave than the Ivorians… We are no less brave than the Tunisians. History is on the march, let’s go!,” declared the former minister, naming key posts in what he called Gabon’s legitimate government.

Obame entered the UN compound in Libreville on Tuesday night, and called on the Gabonese people to overthrow the current government.

The opposition leader and 20 of his supporters requested UN protection, saying they feared for their safety.