UN ‘deeply concerned’ by chaos in Gabon after Bongo poll win

UNITED NATIONS, Friday

The UN Security Council is deeply concerned by the violence in Gabon following President Ali Bongo’s narrow election victory.

The council discussed the crisis at France’s request and heard a report during a closed-door meeting from UN envoy for central Africa Abdoulaye Bathily, who is working to defuse tension.

“Council members call upon candidates, their supporters, parties and other actors to remain calm, refrain from violence or other provocations and to resolve any eventual disputes through established constitutional and legal mechanisms,” said New Zealand’s Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council presidency this month.

The council expressed its concern and stressed the importance of a transparent and impartial process for the elections, he added.

Three people were killed and around 1,000 arrested during rioting overnight after Bongo was declared the winner of the election by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

The European Union and France have called for a transparent verification of the results.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre earlier said the council should reiterate the critical importance of a procedure guaranteeing the transparency of the results of the election.

During the meeting, Bathily told the council that he was hopeful that tensions could be eased in Gabon, which has been ruled by the Bongo family for almost 50 years.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the immediate release of political detainees, and added that the United Nations supported calls for a verification of the results.

“The Gabonese people deserve a credible electoral process,” he said.

TWO DEAD
Ban said he was deeply concerned and saddened by the violence, in particular the arson and disproportionate response of security agencies that had led to loss of life and property.

The UN chief called on the government to restore communications immediately.

Bongo won with 49.8 per cent of the vote, while Ping picked up 48.23 per cent, resulting in a gap of fewer than 6,000 votes, according to provisional results.

Meanwhile, two people died in overnight violence in Gabon.

Bongo’s government pressed a fierce crackdown, with security forces rounding up about 1,000 people, including two dozen opposition leaders, since riots first swept across capital Libreville on Wednesday.

Bekam Ella Edzang, a 27-year-old law student, died of his wounds in hospital after he was shot in the abdomen.

In the district of Nzeng Ayong, an AFP correspondent saw protesters carrying the body of a 30-year-old wrapped in the country’s flag.