Supporters of Gabon’s president and his chief rival have both said they expect to win an election that has proved to be the most serious challenge yet to the Bongo family’s half-century rule. The rival, Jean Ping, 73, traded accusations of fraud that raised the prospect of increased tension in the wake of an uncharacteristically bitter campaign. Ping distributed figures showing him easily beating incumbent Ali Bongo Ondimba in Saturday’s vote. “The general trends indicate we are the winner of this important presidential election,” Ping told reporters and a large crowd of cheering supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters in the capital, Libreville. “Despite numerous irregularities … you have managed to thwart this regime’s congenital traps of fraud.”
Bongo, 57, who first won election after his father Omar died in 2009 after 42 years as president, has benefited from the power of incumbency as well as a patronage system lubricated by oil largesse.
Hours before Ping’s announcement, Bongo’s spokesman made a similar declaration, claiming that the president was poised to win another term in office.
He said “massive fraud” had been observed during the vote, particularly in polling stations in opposition strongholds.
Full Article: Both sides in Gabon presidential election claim victory | World news | The Guardian.
