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Gabon’s Opposition Urges Coup Leaders To Declare It As Election Winner

This video grab taken from a video obtained by AFPTV from Gabon 24 on August 30, 2023, shows Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi (C), spokesperson of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), reading a statement on television.(Photo by Gabon 24 / AFP)

Gabon’s biggest opposition on Thursday requested military forces who deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba to complete the vote count from the disputed election last weekend and recognize their candidate as the winner.

The alliance Alternance 2023 also stated that it is inviting security personnel to participate in conversations “in order to work out the situation within a patriotic and responsible framework.”

Alliance spokesperson Mike Jocktane informed reporters that security personnel had been stationed at each polling site and had oversaw the transportation of ballot boxes.

As such, they were the “first witnesses” of main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa’s “clear victory,” he said.

The coup announcement early Wednesday came just moments after the national election overseer declared Bongo had won a third term with 64.27 percent of the vote.

Ondo Ossa won 30.77 percent, it said.

The university professor had vehemently accused Bongo of “fraud” and demanded that he hand over power “without bloodshed” before the results were announced.

Jocktane also expressed gratitude on behalf of a “grateful homeland” to the army for standing up to a “electoral coup d’etat” and saving the country’s lives.

He requested the army to “supervise” the restart of the collation of presidential election results, which he said would “formalize Mr. Ondo Ossa’s victory at the ballot box.”

Written by PH

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