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France expresses concerns for citizens in Gabon

Top opposition candidate Jean Ping has declared he is the rightful victor of last month’s vote.

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Ping has said he has no faith in the constitutional court because it was tied to the Bongo family and that he wants a recount done under global supervision before any appeal to that court.

At least six people were killed and more than 1,000 arrested in violence after Wednesday’s announcement of a slim vote victory for Bongo, whose family has run Gabon for half a century.

According to the electoral commission, the province saw a 99.93 percent turnout, with 95 percent voting in favor of Bongo.

Other provinces showed on average a 48 percent voter turnout, it said.

The prime minister also called on the Gabonese authorities to establish the whereabouts of around 15 French nationals who have been missing since the violence began.

“In order to restore the confidence of Gabon, I reiterate my call on the Gabonese authorities to publish the poll results by polling station”, said European Union observation chief Mariya Gabriel.

The African Union to send a delegation for resolving a standoff over presidential election results in Gabon, the body announced on Tuesday.

Gabon’s justice minister resigned Monday over the government’s refusal to recount the ballots, as Ping has demanded. The opposition says the death toll is much higher.

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The African Union (AU) has reaffirmed its readiness to contribute towards the search for a solution to post-election tension in Gabon. The country’s parliament was burnt down supposedly by Ping loyalists. He was elected in 2009 after the death of his father, longtime ruler Omar Bongo, and protests followed.

Gabon opposition chief calls for general strike after disputed election