Gabonese police say riots have now erupted in at least nine suburbs of Gabon’s capital Libreville on Thursday,in protest against a disputed election win by President Ali Bongo.
Supporters of Bongo’s main rival for the presidency suspect Saturday’s election, which brought Bongo back to power on a narrow margin, was rigged.
On Wednesday, angry protesters vented their fury by setting fire to the parliament building, sending skyward a plume of flame and black smoke after President Bongo was declared winner.
Fires were visible in other parts of Libreville and explosions were heard as protesters faced off against heavily armed security forces.
The opposition says the election was fraudulent, but President Bongo says it was”peaceful and transparent.
It only took a few minutes for the announcement to sink in before several of Libreville’s poorer neighbourhoods erupted in anger, with thousands of people taking to the streets to express their fury.
Although the results will remain “provisional” until they are approved by the constitutional court, Bongo was reported to have polled 5,594 votes, taking 49.80 percent to 48.23 percent for his rival Jean Ping.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Ping says two people have died and many wounded after the presidential guard and police attacked his party’s headquarters overnight, following the announcement of the results.
He is now calling for international assistance and protection for the people.
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