Secretary-General urges calm amid reports of post-election clashes in Gabon

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged restraint by all parties to avoid an escalation of tensions in Gabon, where disturbances have been reported in some parts of the country following last weekend’s presidential elections.

Opposition activists have reportedly clashed with security forces just hours after it was announced that Ali Ben Bongo, son of late president Omar Bongo Ondimba, won the 30 August election.

Mr. Ban, who took note of the preliminary results announced by the country’s electoral authorities, urged “calm and restraint” by all concerned so that tensions do not escalate.

“He calls on the Gabonese political leaders to refrain from any action which could jeopardize the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General urges all the presidential candidates and their supporters to resolve any electoral grievances through legal and institutional channels, and calls for any such complaints to be reviewed and adjudicated in a fair and transparent manner,” the statement added.

In a message earlier this week, Mr. Ban implored all Gabonese to continue supporting the democratic process and to “ensure the will of the people is respected.”