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Violence After Gabon Elections Leaves One Dead Violence After Gabon Elections Leaves One Dead
(about 9 hours later)
DAKAR, Senegal — Postelection violence in Gabon left one person dead on Thursday after officials declared the incumbent president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, the winner in a race that the opposition said had been marked by fraud.DAKAR, Senegal — Postelection violence in Gabon left one person dead on Thursday after officials declared the incumbent president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, the winner in a race that the opposition said had been marked by fraud.
A civilian, who was not identified, died as security forces encircled the party headquarters of the opposition candidate, Jean Ping, early Thursday after hundreds of people had taken to the streets of the capital, Libreville. The protesters had set fires and insisted that Mr. Bongo had stolen the vote to claim a second term in office.A civilian, who was not identified, died as security forces encircled the party headquarters of the opposition candidate, Jean Ping, early Thursday after hundreds of people had taken to the streets of the capital, Libreville. The protesters had set fires and insisted that Mr. Bongo had stolen the vote to claim a second term in office.
Violence surged almost immediately after the release of election results Wednesday night that said Mr. Bongo, whose family has held the presidency since the late 1960s, had narrowly edged out Mr. Ping in voting on Saturday. The military was sent in to quell the demonstrations, aiming tear gas at protesters who were demanding a recount.Violence surged almost immediately after the release of election results Wednesday night that said Mr. Bongo, whose family has held the presidency since the late 1960s, had narrowly edged out Mr. Ping in voting on Saturday. The military was sent in to quell the demonstrations, aiming tear gas at protesters who were demanding a recount.
The election took place peacefully, although some voters complained about ballot procedures and polling stations that opened late. Results also took longer than expected to tally. Mr. Ping, a former African Union Commission chairman, pointed to that delay as evidence that Mr. Bongo’s supporters were using the time to concoct a fraudulent victory.The election took place peacefully, although some voters complained about ballot procedures and polling stations that opened late. Results also took longer than expected to tally. Mr. Ping, a former African Union Commission chairman, pointed to that delay as evidence that Mr. Bongo’s supporters were using the time to concoct a fraudulent victory.
“The Gabonese people and the world can clearly see the fraud, lies and manipulation,” he said in a statement released early Thursday. He cited as evidence reports from elections officials that there had been 99.9 percent turnout in some polling places where Mr. Bongo was favored.“The Gabonese people and the world can clearly see the fraud, lies and manipulation,” he said in a statement released early Thursday. He cited as evidence reports from elections officials that there had been 99.9 percent turnout in some polling places where Mr. Bongo was favored.
“ ‘Results’ like Ali Bongo’s are the hallmarks of dictators and tyrants who refuse to give up power — not the cornerstones of democracies, nations, and peoples who respect fairness and the rule of law,” Mr. Ping said in his statement, which called on American officials to reject the results.“ ‘Results’ like Ali Bongo’s are the hallmarks of dictators and tyrants who refuse to give up power — not the cornerstones of democracies, nations, and peoples who respect fairness and the rule of law,” Mr. Ping said in his statement, which called on American officials to reject the results.
Before the results were announced, the American State Department had described the voting as professional but cited irregularities. Both the United States and France have called on Gabonese officials to release results from individual polling stations to assure voters the outcome was legitimate.Before the results were announced, the American State Department had described the voting as professional but cited irregularities. Both the United States and France have called on Gabonese officials to release results from individual polling stations to assure voters the outcome was legitimate.
A statement from the president’s spokeswoman said that Gabonese law allowed for numerous legal challenges of the vote, including requesting results from all districts. “At this time, we call on Jean Ping to call off his thugs and stop vandalizing the city,” read the statement, which characterized the spate of violence as premeditated.A statement from the president’s spokeswoman said that Gabonese law allowed for numerous legal challenges of the vote, including requesting results from all districts. “At this time, we call on Jean Ping to call off his thugs and stop vandalizing the city,” read the statement, which characterized the spate of violence as premeditated.
Despite the strident tone, both sides also issued calls for peace and unity, and representatives from France and the United States issued statements appealing for calm.Despite the strident tone, both sides also issued calls for peace and unity, and representatives from France and the United States issued statements appealing for calm.
Mr. Ping’s camp said security officers stormed their headquarters unprovoked just after midnight. But the statement from the president’s spokeswoman said that officers had been fighting back after being attacked with grenades.Mr. Ping’s camp said security officers stormed their headquarters unprovoked just after midnight. But the statement from the president’s spokeswoman said that officers had been fighting back after being attacked with grenades.
According to her statement, security officers surrounded the building in an attempt to subdue protesters who had retreated there repeatedly during the night after targeting government buildings in vandalism and arson attacks.According to her statement, security officers surrounded the building in an attempt to subdue protesters who had retreated there repeatedly during the night after targeting government buildings in vandalism and arson attacks.
One person died, one officer was shot in the leg, and other civilians were injured in the ensuing melee. The government said it did not have full details about the clash.One person died, one officer was shot in the leg, and other civilians were injured in the ensuing melee. The government said it did not have full details about the clash.
By midday Thursday, residents said the heart of Libreville was eerily calm. Helicopters buzzed overhead, and police officers flooded neighborhoods and warned residents to remain indoors.By midday Thursday, residents said the heart of Libreville was eerily calm. Helicopters buzzed overhead, and police officers flooded neighborhoods and warned residents to remain indoors.
Internet access and text messaging was blocked starting Wednesday night, but voice calls were operating on telephone lines. More than 1,000 people have been arrested, and some protesters were armed with AK-47 rifles, The Associated Press reported, citing a news conference with the interior minister. Internet access and text messaging were blocked starting Wednesday night, but voice calls were operating on telephone lines. More than 1,000 people have been arrested, and some protesters were armed with AK-47 rifles, The Associated Press reported, citing a news conference with the interior minister.
Rumors and confusion reigned on the streets. Although news reports said parliamentary buildings had been burned, it appeared on Thursday that the fires had largely been contained to vehicles parked outside the structures, sending smoke billowing across the capital.Rumors and confusion reigned on the streets. Although news reports said parliamentary buildings had been burned, it appeared on Thursday that the fires had largely been contained to vehicles parked outside the structures, sending smoke billowing across the capital.
“We are all scared, and we can’t tell what will happen in the next coming hours,” said Francis Edou Eyene, a member of Mr. Ping’s team.“We are all scared, and we can’t tell what will happen in the next coming hours,” said Francis Edou Eyene, a member of Mr. Ping’s team.
One Libreville resident, Claude Somand-Mayila, said he had seen several people who had been injured during the protests. On Thursday morning, he said, he ventured out from his neighborhood in the city center in search of bread and found open bakeries but bare shelves.One Libreville resident, Claude Somand-Mayila, said he had seen several people who had been injured during the protests. On Thursday morning, he said, he ventured out from his neighborhood in the city center in search of bread and found open bakeries but bare shelves.
The police spotted him and shooed him and other civilians back into their homes, ordering the stores to close. “We are scared of going out,” Mr. Somand-Mayila said. “It’s very dangerous outside.”The police spotted him and shooed him and other civilians back into their homes, ordering the stores to close. “We are scared of going out,” Mr. Somand-Mayila said. “It’s very dangerous outside.”
Mr. Bongo was elected to his first term in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who was president at the time. Clashes also broke out after the election that first put the younger Mr. Bongo in office back then.Mr. Bongo was elected to his first term in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who was president at the time. Clashes also broke out after the election that first put the younger Mr. Bongo in office back then.
Mr. Bongo had called the elections on Saturday, “free, transparent and democratic” and said he would accept the results, regardless of the outcome.Mr. Bongo had called the elections on Saturday, “free, transparent and democratic” and said he would accept the results, regardless of the outcome.
Gabon, an oil-producing nation with mineral resources and lush forests, has long suffered from extreme inequality. For that, many voters blame the government of the elder Mr. Bongo, who was known for enriching himself while his population suffered.Gabon, an oil-producing nation with mineral resources and lush forests, has long suffered from extreme inequality. For that, many voters blame the government of the elder Mr. Bongo, who was known for enriching himself while his population suffered.
His son has tried to distance himself from his father’s leadership, putting into place programs to combat poverty and cut unemployment, but the benefits have been limited so far to a minority of the country. Some of the population express resentment toward Mr. Bongo’s presidency, saying it was nothing more than proof of a family dynasty.His son has tried to distance himself from his father’s leadership, putting into place programs to combat poverty and cut unemployment, but the benefits have been limited so far to a minority of the country. Some of the population express resentment toward Mr. Bongo’s presidency, saying it was nothing more than proof of a family dynasty.
Mr. Ping is the son of a Chinese businessman and Gabonese mother. He has called himself an outsider, but he served for years in Omar Bongo’s cabinet, only recently broke off from the governing party and has fathered two children with the current president’s sister. Mr. Ping is the son of a Chinese businessman and a Gabonese mother. He has called himself an outsider, but he served for years in Omar Bongo’s cabinet, only recently broke off from the governing party and has fathered two children with the current president’s sister.