Gabon/General Elections: The inevitable happens after President Bongo’s re-election with 64.27% of the vote
As soon as the results were officially announced early on Wednesday, giving Ali Bongo Ondimba a third term in office, senior Gabonese army officers took action. They began by announcing on Gabon 24 television, which is housed within the presidency, that they were annulling the election and dissolving the institutions of the republic.
This military intervention is justified by the lack of credibility of the general elections held on Saturday August 26, which were already contested by opposition players. The current situation in Gabon was highly predictable, given the context in which the triple elections took place and the deterioration of the socio-political situation in the country.
As a reminder, not only had Ali Bongo’s camp introduced a one-round ballot, whereas the constitution provides for two rounds, it had also provided for a single ballot paper for the presidential, legislative and local elections. And let’s not forget that the vote took place with the borders closed and without international observers or foreign media.
What’s more, since polling stations closed on Saturday, the Gabonese people have been living under curfew and without internet. A situation repeatedly denounced by the population and opposition politicians, with no results. Ali Bongo’s main opponent, Albert Ondo Ossa, the sole candidate of six main opposition parties, asserted that he was the winner and called for a bloodless transfer of power.
Speaking of the candidate re-elected for a third term, Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, is in frail health following his Stroke in 2018, the after-effects of which he still suffers to this day. There was really no point in forcing things to remain in power in this state. But most African leaders prefer shame to dignity because of power.
Uche JONHSON
