Gabon oppn says 2 dead in post-vote crackdown

AFP, LIBREVILLE: Gabon’s opposition leader said security forces killed two people and hurt 19 in a raid against his headquarters Thursday, as violence erupted after President Ali Bongo was declared the 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. Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces. Police deployed near the parliament building fired tear gas canisters on Thursday to stop people gathering there. As the country descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged “maximum restraint” and Amnesty International warned against “excessive force.”

 

Gabon oppn says 2 dead in post-vote crackdown

AFP, LIBREVILLE: Gabons opposition leader said security forces killed two people and hurt 19 in a raid against his headquarters Thursday, as violence erupted after President Ali Bongo was declared the 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. Gunfire crackled across the city and plumes of smoke billowed from the torched parliament building as protesters clashed with heavily armed security forces. Police deployed near the parliament building fired tear gas canisters on Thursday to stop people gathering there. As the country descended into chaos, the EU called for calm, former colonial power France urged maximum restraint and Amnesty International warned against excessive force.