Oil-rich Gabon has been in turmoil since the August 27 poll, in which Bongo’s rival Jean Ping also claimed victory. Official results show that turnout exceeded 99%, and that 95% voted for Bongo.
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“Some of the European Union observers overstepped their mission”, he told France’s RTL radio. “If we are raising anomalies, we have to be clear, balanced and raise all the anomalies that have been noted”, Bongo told France’s RTL radio, in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.
Opposition parties in Africa frequently say votes are rigged, but the results are rarely overturned and it is unusual for a president once declared victor, as in this case, to face significant worldwide pressure over the election.
The former African Union diplomat has called for a recount, which has so far been resisted by the government.
“I can not violate the (electoral) law”, he insisted.
Africa reported that there was an increasing tendency by African governments to block social media during elections, with research by the Portland Communications saying that African tweeters were more political than in other continents. “For once we’re respecting the law and we’re being told to circumvent it, it’s unusual”, he said. The deadline for doing so is 1500 GMT on Thursday.
The European Union has questioned the validity of the result while former colonial ruler France has said a recount would be “wise”.
Gabon’s justice minister has resigned over the government’s refusal to recount the ballots.
Reports say demonstrators attacked the parliament building and clashed with police, leaving over 1,000 of them arrested.
But Bongo hit back, accusing observers overlooking irregularities “in the fiefdom of Mr. Ping”.
However, Ping is not relenting as he has called for nationwide protests over what he says is a fraudulent re-election of President Bongo whose family has ruled Gabon for more than five decades.
According to a statement by Pacome, at least seven people have died in the violence and hundreds have been injured.
Bongo dismissed a toll of between 50 and 100 dead given by Ping’s camp as “fanciful” but said that “around 100” had been hurt in the violence.
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Opposition anger at Bongo’s re-election boiled over into riots in the capital, Libreville, and other towns, leaving six people dead, according to the government. France has maintained significant presence in the country after it became independent in 1960.
