Gabonese opposition 'aggrieved but not surprised' by court ruling

The Gabonese opposition led by former African Union chairman Jean Ping says they are aggrieved but not surprised at the court ruling validating the reelection of Ali Bongo as president.

The spokesperson of Jean Ping, Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi told the media on Saturday morning, hours after the court declaration, that the court has “leaned to the right as always”.

“We will never forget how the people voted,” he added.

Gaspard Ayi also dismissed suspicions that they will incite the public to hit the streets against the ruling.

“We are sending no message to the people. If there is violence, it is from the Gabonese and not violence from Ping,” he said.

“On n'envoie aucun message, ni pr faire ni pr pas faire. violence est une violence d'Etat sur les Gabonais, c pas la violence de M. Ping. »

— Sébastien Németh (@SebastienNemeth) September 24, 2016

Gabon’s constitutional court upheld President Ali Bongo’s re-election victory early Saturday morning after hours of wait.

Proclamation officielle des résultats de l’élection présidentielle #Gabon2016 par la Cour constitutionnelle : Ali Bongo Ondimba est élu pic.twitter.com/4QImxcL5Gr

— République Gabonaise (@PresidenceGA) September 24, 2016

Bongo immediately called for an open dialogue with the opposition to work in developing the country.

Le PresidentABO officiellement déclaré élu Président de la République par la Cour constitutionnelle de la République Gabonaise #Gabon2016 pic.twitter.com/mn439opCjC

— République Gabonaise (PresidenceGA) September 24, 2016

Security has been stepped up in the capital Libreville since Thursday and reports indicate that the streets are deserted as at Saturday morning.