The internet has been restored in Gabon after being cut off for five days, but social media still remains blocked, following the announcement last week of President Ali Bongo as the victor of the presidential elections, BBC reports.
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“I can not violate the law”, said Bongo in a pre-recorded interview for France’s RTL radio, aired Wednesday.
According to the electoral commission, there was a 99.93 percent turnout in that province, with 95 percent voting in favor of Bongo. Other provinces had a turnout between 45 percent and 71 percent.
Manuel Valls, prime minister of former colonial power France, suggested a recount would be wise, and urged authorities to help locate around 15 of its nationals – out of a local French community of around 14,000 – it says are missing.
In a continuing fallout from the result, Gabonese Justice Minister Seraphim Moundounga has resigned in protest.
The former African Union diplomat has called for a recount, which has so far been resisted by the government. He also called for the release of results from individual polling stations.
According to an AFP count, post-election chaos has claimed at least seven lives in the oil-rich central African nation, ruled by the Bongo family since 1967.
President Bongo came under global scrutiny on Tuesday, as a European Union mission questioned the validity of his narrow win, France recommended a recount and the African Union said it would send mediators.
The opposition’s estimate of 50 to 100 killed in the protests is based on reports from residents around the country, Ping’s spokesman, Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi, told The Associated Press.
The opposition party must legally file any complaints by Thursday, eight days after the announcement of the results.
But it also said bi-nationals living in Gabon would be subject to Gabonese laws.
“I will be the president for all Gabonese, I will work with all my compatriots who want to join me in working for the development of the country”.
“I propose to cease all activity and begin a general strike”.
The African Union has offered to help both sides find a solution to the crisis.
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Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a Monday statement that “some arrests have been made in recent days”. About 15 French citizens are now missing in Gabon, many of whom carry dual citizenship, the minister said.
