Gabon’s Justice Minister Seraphin Moundounga has resigned over the disputed re-election of President Ali Bongo, becoming the first high-level government official to step down since the vote. Gabon’s election commission announced last week that Bongo won the election over opposition leader Jean Ping by about 5,000 votes, leading to protests and street violence that has left at least six people dead. Moundounga told Radio France International on Monday that the government is not responding to concerns about the need for peace, which lead to his decision to step down.
Also Monday, Ping — who has declared himself the leader of Gabon — called for a general strike, saying an economic blockage would pressure the government. However, few people seemed to stay home Monday, as many banks and shops in the capital, Libreville, re-opened following the violence. Some city residents said they did not hear about the call for a strike.
Ping said his campaign has evidence of election rigging, which he says he will present to Gabon’s constitutional court.
In another development Monday, France expressed concern about the safety of several of its nationals, noting that “some arrests have been made in recent days.”
Full Article: Gabon Justice Minister Resigns Over Disputed Election.
