Gabon President Ali Bongo was declared the winner on Thursday of the contested polls which led to violence sweeping the capital as security forces stormed the opposition’s headquarters.
Reports on Thursday indicated that thousands of disgruntled protesters took to the streets of Libreville, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo was declared the winner by a thin margin over political rival Jean Ping.
Gunfire could be heard across the city as plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as anti-government protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces leaving at least six people injured.
Security forces surrounded the opposition headquarters overnight and attempted to storm the building.
The opposition described the election as fraudulent and called for voting results from each Gabon’s polling stations to be made public to make sure the credibility of overall outcome, a demand echoed by the United States and European Union.
“This will help give the people of Gabon, as well as the international community, confidence the announced vote tallies are correct,” reports quoted US State Department spokesperson John Kirby as saying.
Jean Ping along with many other Gabonese people took to social media to react to the violence and accused the government of manipulating the poll results.
Mon quartier général de campagne est pris à l’assaut à l’instant par la garde républicaine #Gabon
Translation: My campaign headquarters is now under attack by the Republican Guard.
Ali Bongo tire sur le peuple à balles réelles. Nous déplorons lors de la manifestation de ce jour 3 morts et plusieurs blessés.#Gabon
Translation: Ali Bongo has ordered the use of live ammunition on protestrrs. We deplore these actions that have left three dead.
La communauté internationale doit vite réagir la garde présidentielle a reçu l’ordre de tirer sur les populations. #Gabon
Translation: The international community must react immediately to the presidential guard being ordered to fire on the people.
Je demande solennellement à la CENAP de procéder au comptage des résultats bureau de vote par bureau de vote.#Gabon
Translation: I solemnly request that CENAP administer a recount of the results from polling station to polling station.
