The country has been hit by protests, internet shutdowns, crackdowns on the media, and mass arrests since last week as angry citizens claim Bongo stole the presidential election, held on August 27.
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“France is without news about several of its compatriots”, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement.
In the capital, Libreville, traffic began to pick up along the main boulevards on Monday and it was not immediately clear whether Ping’s call to strike was being heeded.
Banks and shops re-opened in the seaside city and taxis returned to the streets. Last week’s elections were the closest-ever in the history of the central African oil producer. The results were disputed by Jean Ping, his closest rival who had declared himself the victor before the result announcement. Bongo had narrowly defeated his challenger Jean Ping in a nationwide vote.
Many shops however offered only limited provisions as the unrest had stalled deliveries.
Ping had earlier said that dozens of people had been killed, hundreds, if not thousands, injured people were recorded and thousands of others arrested.
He is calling for a recount – something the Gabonese authorities have so far refused to do. United Nations head Ban Ki-moon on September 4 called on Bongo and his rival Ping to do their part to end the violence.
The violence after the announcement of the results on Wednesday has sparked global concern with top diplomats calling for restraint as rights groups raised alarm over the use of excessive force.
“The Secretary-General deplored the loss of life that occurred during the demonstrations in the aftermath of the presidential election”.
A Total worker said there had been gunshots heard in the city overnight. “The teams working round-the-clock are only there to ensure security”, said an official at Sogara, Gabon’s sole refinery jointly owned by the government and a clutch of major worldwide firms.
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Gabon also experienced a deadly post-electoral violence in 2009 after Bongo succeed his father, Omar Bongo who had ruled the country for 42 years.
