LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AA) – The Gabonese opposition leader Jean Ping Thursday announced that two people were killed and several others were injured during an attack on his headquarters by security forces in the capital Libreville.
“The Republican Guard attacked our headquarters at 1.00 a.m. (0000GMT). Its elements have carried out a bombing by helicopters and then they attacked on the ground. There are currently two dead and 19 injured, some are serious,” said Ping.
Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, government spokesman, told the press that the attack targeted “criminals” who had set fire to the National Assembly. No official report has however been given.
On Wednesday night, the country’s National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, was set on fire allegedly by protesters opposed to the reelection of Ali Bongo as the head of state.
Clashes between hundreds of protesters and the police continued on Wednesday night in the country’s capital. A building belonging to Paul Biyoghe Mba, deputy prime minister, was also set on fire by rioters, witnesses told Anadolu Agency.
Witnesses said there were also riots in the cities of Port Gentil (West) and Oyem (North).
Gabon’s Electoral Commission announced that President Bongo had defeated Ping — former head of the African Union Commission — with 49.85 percent of the vote against 48.16 percent.
Opposition candidate Jean Ping’s supporters rejected the result, alleging irregularities in voter turnout. Ping’s team has called for a recount of the ballots.
Ping qualified the results of the elections as an “electoral coup”, he posted on Facebook. Ping accused Bongo of “massive fraud” in the province of Haut-Ogooue, a Bongo stronghold.
In a speech to the nation delivered Wednesday night, Ali Bongo, welcomed his victory.
“We are living an important moment. We live in a time where change is required. We live a time when we must be more united and stronger together,” Bongo said, insisting on “transparency of the poll” last Saturday, without mentioning, however, protests.
On Wednesday, France — former colonial power in the country — called on the electoral commission to publish detailed results following the announcement of Bongo’s victory.
In a statement released shortly after the announcement of Bongo’s victory, the French Foreign Ministry said that “the conditions of the announcement of the results of presidential election in Gabon are a concern.”
“The credibility of the election and Gabon’s reputation at the international level is at stake,” it added.
The statement also said that the examination of the appeal must be impartial and incontestable.
Bongo, 57, came to power in 2009 after the death of his father Omar Bongo, who ruled the country for 42 years.
