Gabon's defiant opposition leader calls on people to reject new government

Record ID: 83572

  • Title: Gabon's defiant opposition leader calls on people to reject new government
  • Date: 29th September 2016
  • Summary: PING DANCING IN FRONT OF OFFICIALS VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS DANCING WITH POSTERS READING "PING PRESIDENT"
  • Embargoed: 14th October 2016 19:51
  • Keywords: Jean Ping election opposition disputed Libreville Gabon Ali Bongo
  • Location: LIBREVILLE, GABON
  • City: LIBREVILLE, GABON
  • Country: Gabon
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA00351MFLFR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Gabon's main opposition leader Jean Ping on Thursday (September 29) appealed to the people to reject the leadership of President Ali Bongo, calling for a "national day of contemplation" to be held on October.
    Speaking in the capital Libreville after Bongo's new prime minister said he had been tasked to form an open and inclusive government, Ping called on the Gabonese to hold a day of remembrance for those who died in the post-electoral violence sparked by opponents of Bongo who say the election was rigged.
    He also rejected the government's call for dialogue with the opposition and stakeholders.
    "Ali is calling for a dialogue. Can you call people to a dialogue with guns, with helicopter, with jet fighter, you know, with a gun, killing, jailing everybody," Ping said.
    Ping has also called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on those who cracked down on protesters on the day the election results were announced and protesters set fire to the national assembly.
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