By AfricaNews Monitoring Team
Gabon’s top court will stage a recount of the votes cast in August 30’s contested presidential election, the court’s most senior official said. Ali Ben Bongo, ruling party candidate won the vote, but opposition figures immediately denounced the poll as fraudulent and violent protests briefly flared up.
The two main anti-Bongo candidates, former interior minister Andre Mba Obame and Pierre Mamboundou, who both polled around 25 per cent to Bongo’s 41,7 per cent, went to the court to appeal against Bongo’s victory earlier this month.
A recount will begin on Tuesday, said court president Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo, according to Reuters.
The court, which many say is controlled by Bongo supporters, has already endorsed his victory, and most observers consider it highly unlikely to reverse that position.
Former colonial power France and other poll observers have said election procedures were broadly acceptable and there seems to be scant appetite internationally to call for a re-run.
French energy firm Total, one of the biggest investors in the country, was targeted by some of the anti-Bongo protestors.
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