Gabon erupts in post-election violence
(CNN)Dramatic scenes unfolded this week on the streets of Gabon’s capital city of Libreville, as protesters clashed with police following word of the presidential election results.
Violence erupted Wednesday after Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet Boubeya announced the results from Saturday’s vote, which showed that incumbent President Ali Bongo defeated opposition candidate Jean Ping by a very slim margin: Bongo had 49.8% of the vote, while Ping, a diplomat and former African Union official, had 48.23.
The US State Department called on the government to release the results from each polling station, saying “elections must credibly reflect the will of the people.”
The government has faced criticism for its response to restore stability and for reportedly interrupting communications.
“I am deeply concerned and saddened about the situation in the Gabonese Republic provoked by the electoral crisis, in particular the arson attacks and disproportionate response of security agencies that has led to unfortunate loss of life and property,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/01/africa/gabon-election-protests/index.html