Jean Ping Declares Himself President Of Garbon


Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping on Friday declared himself the rightful president while demanding for a vote recount,48 hours after incumbent Ali Bongo was announced the winner of a weekend and election was returened re-elected throwing the central african nation into crisis.


“I am the president,” Ping told a press conference at his home in Libreville late Friday, calling for a recount from every polling station.

Since the anouncement of the elections results of the  Saturday election huge crowds of irate supporters, some of whom torched the parliament, have taken to the streets. However, Bongo’s government launched a fierce crackdown, with security forces arresting around a thousand people.

Two people died early Friday following overnight clashes, bringing to five the number killed in the violence that erupted after Bongo was declared victor of the disputed election on Saturday.
Bongo was declared victorious by a razor-thin margin of just under 6,000 votes, but his main challenger Ping, a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official, insisted the vote was rigged and claimed victory for himself.

In his words: “The whole world knows who is president of the republic, it’s me Jean Ping,” 
The Gabonese authorities categorically refused any recount, invoking the country’s electoral law which includes no such procedure.
The post-vote violence in this small but oil-rich central African nation has sparked international concern, with top diplomats calling for restraint as rights groups raised the alarm over the use of “excessive force”.

The latest fatalities included Bekam Ella Edzang, 27, who died after being shot in the stomach “by the Republican Guard, who were firing tear gas and live bullets,” source disclosed.

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