LIBREVILLE, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Gabon President Ali Bongo won re-election in a hotly contested weekend election with 49.80 percent of ballots cast, according to final results announced by Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet Boubeya on Wednesday.

Bongo's chief rival Jean Ping, who had already announced he won the vote, came second with 48.23 percent, Moubelet said, amid turnout of 59.46 percent of the oil producing country's roughly 600,000 voters.

Election commission members from the opposition rejected the result. (Reporting by Gerauds Wilfried Obangome; writing by Joe Bavier; editing by Mark Heinrich)</s>PARIS, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping said on Thursday the only solution to break the crisis in the country was for President Ali Bongo to step down and accept defeat in the disputed presidential election.

"The only solution is that Bongo recognises defeat, because he was beaten," Ping told France's BFM TV.

When asked whether he would contest the results through the constitutional court Ping said it was pointless.

"The constitutional court, like Gabon's electoral commission, is a tool of the governing authority. They do what they are told to do," he said. (Reporting By John Irish; Editing by Ingrid Melander)</s>Gabonese President Ali Bongo casts his vote at a polling station in Libreville during the presidential election on August 27, 2016. By Marco Longari (AFP)

Libreville (AFP) - Security forces clashed with protestors in Gabon's capital Libreville on Wednesday shortly after authorities announced the re-election of President Ali Bongo by a narrow majority, an AFP reporter said.

"Ali must go!" shouted demonstrators as security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to stop them reaching the headquarters of the election commission.</s>Gabonese police patrol the streets of the capital Libreville on September 1, 2016. By Marco Longari (AFP)

Libreville (AFP) - Police arrested 1,000 people as security forces fanned out across Gabon's capital Thursday after a night of riots and looting that erupted when President Ali Bongo was declared winner of disputed polls.

Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville late Wednesday, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

His victory is set to extend the Bongo family's almost 50-year rule over the small oil-rich nation.

Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces.

Ping said two people were killed and 19 hurt in a raid against his headquarters early Thursday, and the national police chief told AFP that more than 200 people had been arrested across the city for looting.

But by mid-morning, security forces had sealed off the city centre, which was calm and otherwise deserted, with troops, police and anti-riot squads patrolling the streets.

Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya said between 600 to 800 people had been detained in Libreville and 200 to 300 in the rest of the country.

As Gabon descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged "maximum restraint" and Amnesty International warned against "excessive force."

Police chief Jean-Thierry Oye Zue said six officers had been killed in the post-vote riots and agreed there were "very probably" civilian injuries "given the violence with which they attacked us."

But he declined to give a total number of fatalities, saying "I cannot tell you that."

A Red Cross worker who gave his name as Gildas said one of 15 people injured who was brought in by an army truck had died on Thursday.

It was not immediately clear where Ping -- a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll winner -- had taken refuge.

A European diplomat said he was safe, however.

Internet communications remained cut and the capital scarred by the night of rioting.

The parliament building's facade was blackened by fire and its windows were smashed. Protesters had torn down its huge main gate and torched a sentry box at the entrance.

"Democracy doesn't sit well with an attack on parliament," Bongo said Thursday.

On the city's main artery, the Boulevard Triomphal -- the location of numerous government institutions and foreign embassies -- burnt-out buildings and cars could be seen, while makeshift barricades were still smouldering.

The army searched Ping's headquarters "from top to bottom," said an opposition leader, Didjob Ding Duvungui, who was being held for questioning.

Between 500 to 600 people were arrested there, he said.

A government spokesman said the operation was to catch "criminals" and "looters and thugs" who had earlier set fire to the parliament building.

"We have said that the people of Gabon are in danger. They (the international community) should come and help us against the clan (of Bongo)," Ping told AFP.

The results of the presidential election -- which gave Bongo 49.8 percent to Ping's 48.23 percent (a gap of less than 6,000 votes) -- remain "provisional" until approved by the constitutional court.

The opposition described the election as fraudulent and called for results from each of Gabon's polling stations to be made public to ensure the credibility of the overall outcome -- a demand echoed by the United States and European Union.

Ping told France's Europe 1 radio early Thursday: "Everyone knows that he (Bongo) cheated. Ask in Europe. Everyone knows."

Any appeal by Ping would likely focus on disputed results in Haut-Ogooue province, the heartland of Bongo's Teke ethnic group.

In Saturday's vote, turnout was 59.46 percent nationwide but soared to 99.93 percent in Haut-Ogooue, where Bongo won 95.5 percent of votes.

"It's going to be difficult to get people to accept these results," one member of the electoral commission told AFP, asking not to be named.

"We've never seen results like these, even during the father's time," he added.

Bongo took power in 2009 in a violence-marred election that followed the death of his father Omar Bongo, who had governed the oil-rich former French colony for 41 years.

One third of Gabon's population lives in poverty, though the country boasts one of Africa's highest per capita incomes at $8,300 (7,400 euros) thanks to pumping 200,000 barrels of oil a day.

Bongo, 57, campaigned under the slogan "Let's change together", playing up the roads and hospitals built during his first term and stressing the need to break with the bad old days of disappearing public funds and suspect management of oil revenues.</s>US troubled by Gabon events, urges restraint by security forces

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The United States said on Wednesday it is deeply concerned about events in Gabon and urged restraint by security forces in the oil exporting nation, where official results showed Ali Bongo re-elected president despite his opponent Jean Ping having claimed victory.

"The United States is deeply concerned regarding unfolding events in Gabon. We take note of the results released by the electoral commission and urge all sides to temper their rhetoric and encourage their supporters to remain calm," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. "We also urge all security forces to act with both restraint and respect for the human rights of all Gabonese citizens." (Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)</s>Violence erupted Wednesday after Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet Boubeya announced the results from Saturday's vote, which showed that incumbent President Ali Bongo defeated opposition candidate Jean Ping by a very slim margin: Bongo had 49.8% of the vote, while Ping, a diplomat and former African Union official, had 48.23.

Turnout was 59%, according to the country's election commission. Nearly 600,000 people were registered to vote.

The final results must be confirmed by the country's constitutional court within a week.

The opposition claimed the results were fraudulent and thousands of people took to the streets of the capital in protest.

The Parliament and other government buildings were set ablaze overnight Wednesday into Thursday, as government forces tried to restore order. Shops and businesses were looted. Three people died in the violence, Gabon's Interior Ministry announced in a statement Thursday. Hundreds reportedly were injured. Onlookers watch the smoke rise from a fire amid the clashes. told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. Patrick Obiang, the Red Cross director of operations in Gabon, told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. Bongo's re-election would extend his family's half-century rule over the oil-rich nation by another seven years. Bongo took power from his father, Omar Bongo, in 2009, when similar protests erupted. The US and France have expressed concern about the situation in Libreville and called for restraint by both sides. The US State Department called on the government to release the results from each polling station, saying "elections must credibly reflect the will of the people." The government has faced criticism for its response to restore stability and for reportedly interrupting communications. "I am deeply concerned and saddened about the situation in the Gabonese Republic provoked by the electoral crisis, in particular the arson attacks and disproportionate response of security agencies that has led to unfortunate loss of life and property," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.</s>Violence has swept the Gabon capital after President Ali Bongo was declared winner in polls by a slim margin. By Marco Longari (AFP)

Libreville (AFP) - Two people were killed and more than a dozen injured as Gabon security forces stormed the opposition's headquarters early Thursday, as violence swept the capital after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of contested polls.

Thousands of angry protesters took to the streets of Libreville accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as anti-government protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces, injuring at least six other people.

Security forces surrounded the opposition headquarters overnight and stormed the building, killing two and injuring more than a dozen there, a source inside the building told Ping.

"They attacked around 1:00 am (0000 GMT). It is the Republican Guard. They were bombarding with helicopters and then they attacked on the ground. There are 19 people injured, some of them very seriously," said Ping, who was not at the party headquarters himself.

The president of the opposition National Union party, Zacharie Myboto, who was inside the besieged building, said security forces were hurling tear gas canisters and had opened fire.

"For nearly an hour the building has been surrounded. They want to enter the building... it is extremely violent," he said shortly after the siege began.

A government spokesman said the operation was to catch "criminals" who had earlier set fire to the parliament building.

"Armed people who set fire to the parliament had gathered at Jean Ping's headquarters along with hundreds of looters and thugs... they were not political protesters but criminals," said Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze.

A heavy military and police presence had brought large parts of Libreville to a standstill and internet access has also been cut.

"We have said that the people of Gabon are in danger. They (the international community) should come and help us against the clan (of Bongo)," Ping told AFP.

Results of the presidential election were announced Wednesday afternoon, handing Bongo a second term and extending the nearly five decade-long rule by his family.

The results -- which gave Bongo 49.8 percent to Ping's 48.23 percent -- remain "provisional" until they are approved by the constitutional court.

The opposition has described the election as fraudulent and called for voting results from each of Gabon's polling stations to be made public to ensure the credibility of overall outcome -- a demand echoed by the United States and European Union.

"This will help give the people of Gabon -- as well as the international community -- confidence the announced vote tallies are accurate," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

EU observers, who were barred from the meeting of the electoral commission on Wednesday, said the vote on Saturday was "managed in a way that lacked transparency".

Opposition delegates in the electoral commission have vowed to fight for a recount.

Any appeal by Ping -- a veteran diplomat and former top African Union official who had earlier declared himself the poll winner -- would likely focus on disputed results in Haut-Ogooue province, the heartland of Bongo's Teke ethnic group.

In Saturday's vote, turnout was 59.46 percent nationwide but soared to 99.93 percent in Haut-Ogooue, where Bongo won 95.5 percent of votes.

"It's going to be difficult to get people to accept these results," one member of the electoral commission confided to AFP, asking not to be named.

"We've never seen results like these, even during the father's time," he added.

Bongo took power in 2009 in a violence-marred election that followed the death of his father Omar Bongo, who had ruled the oil-rich former French colony for 41 years.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for calm and expressed concern over the clashes and reports of arson, urging political leaders "to address their differences peacefully and to address any disputes they may have through existing constitutional and legal channels", the UN said in a statement.

Gabon is a former French colony that has been hit by the global slump in the price of crude oil, its biggest export.

One third of Gabon's population lives in poverty, despite the country boasting one of Africa's highest per capita incomes at $8,300 (7,400 euros) thanks to pumping 200,000 barrels of oil a day.

Bongo, 57, campaigned under the slogan "Let's change together", playing up the roads and hospitals built during his first term and stressing the need to break with the bad old days of disappearing public funds and suspect management of oil revenues.</s>LIBREVILLE (Reuters) - Three people were killed and up to 1,100 were arrested in Gabon on Thursday, the government said, in a second day of rioting over the announcement of President Ali Bongo’s re-election and his main rival’s accusation that the vote was rigged.

Soldiers patrol a street near opposition campaign headquarters after the election in Libreville, Gabon, August 31, 2016. Life Africa TV/Handout via Reuters

Opposition challenger Jean Ping accused the elections commission of inflating Bongo’s score to hand him a slim victory and extend his family’s nearly half-century rule in the oil-producing Central African country for another seven years.

Ping called on Bongo to step down.

Violent protests raged in at least nine neighborhoods of the capital Libreville, two witnesses and a police source said on Thursday, a day after demonstrators set fire to the parliament building following the results announcement.

“We want everyone to see, to tour the city, to witness the level of devastation, destruction, violence organized by certain politicians who do not want to recognize their defeat,” Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet Boubeya said.

He told a news conference that several television stations, supermarkets, shops, and private homes had been looted in Libreville and the city hall was targeted by arsonists. Violence erupted in several other cities and provinces as well, he said.

Moubelet Boubeya said protesters had used grenades and police had seized AK-47 assault rifles, an accusation an opposition spokesman rejected.

Gabon’s sovereign dollar bonds fell across the curve with the 2024 and 2025 issue hitting a seven-week low on the back of the violence.

Ping told Reuters in an interview that two people were killed and others wounded when the presidential guard assaulted his party headquarters overnight.

He called for international assistance to protect the population against what he described as “a rogue state”.

“The only solution is that Bongo recognizes defeat, because he was beaten,” Ping later told France’s BFM TV. He said that contesting the results through Gabon’s constitutional court, the official channel for complaints, was pointless.

“The constitutional court, like Gabon’s electoral commission, is a tool of the governing authority. They do what they are told to do,” he said.

Bongo’s office accused the Ping camp of planning “coordinated attacks on symbols of the state”, adding that security forces had in response encircled Ping’s headquarters and clashed with his supporters, resulting in one death.

Related Coverage Gabon opposition leader Ping says Bongo should recognize defeat: BFM TV

WHO WON? WHO LOST?

“The elections gave their verdict. I know who won and who lost,” Bongo, first elected in 2009 upon the death of his father Omar Bongo, Gabon’s president for 42 years, told reporters on Thursday. “Who lost? A small group whose only aim is to take power for themselves.”

The United Nations called for restraint. Former colonial ruler France, the United States and the European Union urged the authorities to release polling station results for greater transparency. Bongo’s spokesman rejected the request.

“Transparency exists,” Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze told BFM TV. “Those who want a bureau by bureau count will only be able to do this by going through the constitutional court.”

On Thursday, a witness reported hearing gunfire and blasts in the Nkembo neighborhood, near Libreville’s city center, while another saw protesters pillage shops, turn over rubbish bins to block streets and smash cars in the Avea neighborhood.

A heavy police and army presence was visible on the streets throughout the city.

“This is just a consequence of the current situation. This is because of the victory of Bongo against Jean Ping,” said witness Alex Mbadinga, 32.

Libreville residents said the internet was cut on Thursday. Social media networks including Twitter and Facebook stopped functioning overnight. Earlier in the week, customs officials seized satellite telephones they said had been imported illegally.

PATRONAGE SYSTEM

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there was no room for violence within the political process. “I’m calling, therefore, all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid additional victims.”

The office of French President Francois Hollande also called for calm, which “means a process to ensure transparency in the election results”.

Bongo won 49.80 percent of votes in Saturday’s election against 48.23 percent for Ping, according to results read by Moubelet Boubeya on Wednesday. The announcement had been delayed by one day.

Bongo benefited from a patronage system lubricated by oil money ahead of the vote.

But economic headwinds caused by falling oil prices and crude production have led to budget cuts in one of Africa’s statistically wealthiest nations, providing fuel for opposition charges that many ordinary Gabonese citizens have not enjoyed the fruits of oil wealth and suffered under his rule.

The government says it plans to diversify the economy through investments in manganese mining and cash crops like palm oil and rubber.

Slideshow (3 Images)

Ping, a political insider who has served as foreign minister and African Union Commission chairman, was a close ally of the late president and fathered two children with his daughter.

An EU observer mission criticized a “lack of transparency” among institutions running the election and said Bongo had benefited from preferential access to money and the media.</s>UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council is deeply concerned by the violence in Gabon following President Ali Bongo’s narrow election victory and is calling for calm, the council president said Thursday.

The council discussed the crisis at France’s request and heard a report during a closed-door meeting from UN envoy for central Africa Abdoulaye Bathily, who is working to defuse tensions.

Council members “called upon all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other actors to remain calm, refrain from violence or other provocations and to resolve any eventual disputes through established constitutional and legal mechanisms,” said New Zealand’s Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council presidency this month.

The council expressed its “deep concern” and stressed the “importance of a transparent and impartial process” for the elections, he added.

Three people were killed and around 1,000 arrested during rioting overnight after Bongo was declared the winner of the election by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

The European Union and France have called for a transparent verification of the election results.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre earlier said the council should “reiterate the critical importance of a procedure guaranteeing the transparency of the results of the election.”

During the meeting, Bathily told the council that he was “hopeful” that tensions could be eased in Gabon, which has been ruled by the Bongo family for almost 50 years.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the immediate release of political detainees, and said the United Nations supports calls for a verification of the election results.

Ban said he was “deeply concerned and saddened” by the violence, “in particular the arson attacks and disproportionate response of security agencies that has led to unfortunate loss of life and property.”

The UN chief called on the government to immediately restore communications, especially the internet, SMS and independent radio and television.

Bongo won victory with 49.8 percent of the vote, while Ping picked up 48.23 percent, resulting in a gap of fewer than 6,000 votes, according to provisional results.</s>Violence erupted Wednesday after Interior Minister Pacome Moubelet Boubeya announced the results from Saturday's vote, which showed that incumbent President Ali Bongo defeated opposition candidate Jean Ping by a very slim margin: Bongo had 49.8% of the vote, while Ping, a diplomat and former African Union official, had 48.23.

Turnout was 59%, according to the country's election commission. Nearly 600,000 people were registered to vote.

The final results must be confirmed by the country's constitutional court within a week.

The opposition claimed the results were fraudulent and thousands of people took to the streets of the capital in protest.

The Parliament and other government buildings were set ablaze overnight Wednesday into Thursday, as government forces tried to restore order. Shops and businesses were looted. Three people died in the violence, Gabon's Interior Ministry announced in a statement Thursday. Hundreds reportedly were injured. told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. Patrick Obiang, the Red Cross director of operations in Gabon, told CNN on Thursday that while his teams are still assessing the number of casualties, they have seen at least one body of a protester who was killed in the overnight clashes. Bongo's re-election would extend his family's half-century rule over the oil-rich nation by another seven years. Bongo took power from his father, Omar Bongo, in 2009, when similar protests erupted. The US and France have expressed concern about the situation in Libreville and called for restraint by both sides. Onlookers watch the smoke rise from a fire amid the clashes. The US State Department called on the government to release the results from each polling station, saying "elections must credibly reflect the will of the people." The government has faced criticism for its response to restore stability and for reportedly interrupting communications. "I am deeply concerned and saddened about the situation in the Gabonese Republic provoked by the electoral crisis, in particular the arson attacks and disproportionate response of security agencies that has led to unfortunate loss of life and property," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.
Ali Bongo is re-elected President of Gabon.