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Gabon

Gabon opposition split over election disruption call

In Gabon opposition parties have called on people to prevent the holding of elections set to take place in December. But two parties have broken ranks and said they will take part.

AFP/Wils Yanick Maniengui
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“The Gabonese opposition and civil society solemnly call on the Gabonese people to oppose and prevent the organisation of parliamentary elections on 17 December 2011,” said a declaration signed by 13 opposition parties issued Wednesday.

But the statement made no recommendations as to how to attain its goal.

“The Gabonese people themselves will choose the means,” it said.

The government of President Ali Bongo slammed the move as subversive and irresponsible.

And just before the decision was announced one opposition party, Louis-Gaston Mayila’s Union for a New Republic, said it would stand candidates. On Thursday the Gabonese People’s Union, whose leader Pierre Mamboudou died of a heart attack on 15 October, declared that it will participate in the poll, even though its spokesperson, Thomas Ibinga, signed Wednesday's statement.

The decision was taken by 16-13 at the party's executive committee that was reported to have been stormy.

The parties say that the election will not be free and fair, claiming that they will be rigged in favour of Bongo’s Gabonese Democratic Party.In Gabon 13 opposition parties have called on people to prevent the holding of elections set to take place in December. But one party has broken ranks and said it will take part.

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