EU, others call for calm as Gabon plunges into crisis

The European Union (EU) on Thursday, called  for all sides in Gabon to reject violence as the country descended into chaos after President Ali Bongo was declared winner of disputed polls.

“The official announcement of results has plunged Gabon into a deep crisis,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

“It is important for all parties to reject violence and call for calm,” Mogherini added.

Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping, who said security forces killed two people on Thursday.

“Any challenge must be made with peaceful means in order to avoid any conflagration in the country. Security forces must react responsibly,” Mogherini said.

“Trust in the election results can only be restored through a transparent verification, polling station by polling station.”

She added that the EU is in contact with all its African and other partners in order to promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis

Results of the presidential election were announced Wednesday afternoon, handing Bongo a second term and extending the nearly five decade-long rule by his family.

The results — which gave Bongo 49.8 percent to Ping’s 48.23 percent — remain “provisional” until they are approved by the constitutional court.

The opposition has described the election as fraudulent and called for voting results from each of Gabon’s polling stations to be made public to ensure the credibility of overall outcome — a demand echoed by the United States and European Union.