#GABON: Oppo. Pres. Cand. Challenges Election Defeat With Constitutional Court

[world politics news]

Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping has lodged a challenge with the country's Constitutional Court, contesting the result of a presidential vote whose validity has been questioned at home and abroad. Election results announced last week showed incumbent Ali Bongo beating Ping by a slender margin of fewer than 6,000 votes, sparking days of deadly riots in the capital Libreville.

#GABON: Popular Pres. Cand. Challenges 49-Year Rule Of One Family

[world politics news]

A 74-year-old insurgent candidate for president is challenging the 49-year rule of a single family in Gabon in Saturday's election. Jean Ping is promising improvements to infrastructure and health and a reform of the judiciary, and accuses Pres. Ali Bongo of wanting to establish a dictatorship. Ali Bongo has been in office since 2009 when he won an election after the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, an autocrat who ruled the west African country for 42 years.