In a continuing fallout from the result, Gabonese Justice Minister Seraphim Moundounga has resigned in protest.
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“There must be immediate solution following the announcement on August 31 of the provisional results of the presidential election held on August 27. As far as a recount is concerned. that’s done at the level of the Constitutional Court”.
France, the European Union as well as the United States already called last week on the electoral commission to publish detailed results of all polling stations.
In an interview with Europe 1 radio, Bongo accused the European Union observers of “overstepping their mandate” and said he too was preparing to challenge some of the results. I can not violate the law.
“They say that the former minister, of all people, should know. that the law says that aggrieved party. needs to go to the Constitutional Court, file a petition, and only the Constitutional Court can order a recount”.
News of the re-election of Bongo, whose family has ruled the OPEC member for 50 years, has triggered cries of fraud and riots in the capital that claimed at least six lives.
Election commission results showed Bongo beat challenger Jean Ping in the oil-rich central African country’s August 27 presidential vote by 1.57 percentage points. Official results show that turnout exceeded 99%, and that 95% voted for Bongo. Several people were killed and around 800 people arrested.
The African Union has offered to help find a solution to the crisis.
His rival Jean Ping has called for a general strike and says dozens of his supporters have been killed.
One of their main complaints is that Gabon’s ample oil wealth has not been shared fairly among the population.
France has in the past intervened in its former African colonies, such as when it helped oust Cote d’Ivoire’s then-President Laurent Gbagbo in 2011 after he refused to concede defeat in an election.
Parliament was due to resume on Tuesday, with lawmakers set to gather in the Senate building.
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United Nations human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on Tuesday the organisation was following the situation in Gabon with “increased concern”.
