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Fraud Allegations Mar Presidential Election in Gabon
By Randi Zung
September 10, 2009 | Printer Friendly

On August 30th, the Gabonese presidential election was conducted amid controversy and accusations of censorship, election fraud, and nepotism.  The special election was held to choose a successor for the late President Omar Bongo, who, during his 41 year rule, spent the country’s oil industry earnings on impractical real estate development and luxury cars instead of using the money for public works initiatives or to help alleviate poverty.  A day after the close of the election, the top three candidates had all publicly declared victory.  It was later announced that Ali Ben Bongo had won the election with 42 percent of the vote.  According to BBC News, Bongo publicly acknowledged his win by declaring that “As far as I am concerned, I am and I will always be the president of all the people of Gabon.”

The New York Times writes that critics are skeptical that Ali Ben Bongo will use the country’s wealth, from the country’s profitable oil industry, to ensure the well-being of Gabon’s citizens, and instead expect him to continue the misuse the country’s profits like his late father.  Some citizens continue to believe that their system of government is in practice a democracy, while others attribute the election outcome to a coup.  Other statements from citizens of Gabon liken their political system to a monarchy.

In addition to the charges of nepotism inherent in the election of the former President’s son, opponents of Bongo have also cited examples pointing to widespread fraud, including an abnormally high number of voters for a country of 1.3 million people.  Aspects of the campaign have also been criticized; opposing candidates’ campaigns were accused of propaganda and were censored.  In one case, a candidate’s TV station had its broadcast connection severed when his station was fired upon by masked culprits, preventing the station from broadcasting further election coverage.  The Gabonese government denied several requests from international media outlets to cover the election, limiting the ability of outside sources to monitor and report on election-related developments.

As predicted, after the outcome of the election was released, angry rioters took to the streets.  The Washington Post reports incidents of destruction of storefronts, looting, and arson.  The BBC also reports that citizens angered by the election outcome raided a prison in Port Gentil, freeing some of its prisoners, and set fire to the French consulate.

France’s reaction to the election has been a source of contention among democracy advocates in Gabon.  A recent Voice of America article explains that relations between Gabon and France had been suspiciously close under the older Bongo’s rule, and according to the BBC, Bongo received a letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulating him on his win.  Sarkozy’s endorsement is being viewed by Gabonese activists as suspicious, leading them to claim that the French government aided Bongo in winning the election.  The French government has denied any involvement in the Gabonese election despite having a history of political ties.  Critics of the election are also angered that the French government did not intervene amid reports that Bongo used his wealth to influence the outcome of the election.

On September 4th, Gabon’s constitutional court declared Ali Ben Bongo the official winner of the election.  On September 7th, the losing candidates called for a recount, claiming that the original August 30th vote was rigged, however it is believed that the outcome will remain unchanged since many members of the constitutional court were appointed by the late Omar Bongo.  The candidates also called for an investigation into the events of the post-election violence.

Sources:

Rivals claim Gabon poll victory
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8230159.stm

Gabon: Election Marred by Media Censorship
http://allafrica.com/stories/200909020272.html

Autocrat’s Shadow Looms Over Gabon Vote
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/world/africa/30gabon.html

Unrest as dictator's son declared winner in Gabon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/03/AR2009090300729.html

Sarkozy in Gabon election praise
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8243476.stm

France's Role in Gabon's Politics Unchanged
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-10-voa62.cfm

Gabon's Ali Bongo calls for calm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8240170.stm

Gabon Opposition Calls for Election Recount
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/07/world/AP-AF-Gabon-Election.html?scp=2&sq=gabon%20recount&st=cse

Also see:

CIA – The World Factbook: Gabon
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gb.html

Gabon's First Lady Lives on Food Stamps in California
http://abcnews.go.com/International/gabons-lady-lives-food-stamps-california/Story?id=8494060&page=1