Bongo wins disputed Gabon ballot

Ali Ben Bongo was widely tipped to succeed his father The son of Gabon's late leader Omar Bongo has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, amid protests from opposition groups. Ali Ben Bongo won almost 42% of the votes, with his nearest rival on 26%. Mr Bongo, whose father ruled the oil-rich nation for four decades before his death in June, was expected to win. But his critics say the vote was fixed to ensure a dynastic succession, and activists and security forces have been fighting amid widespread unrest. Prison breakout Police used teargas and batons to disperse hundreds of opposition activists in the capital, Libreville. But disturbances have continued, with crowds of activists breaking into a prison and freed hundreds of inmates in the second city of Port-Gentil. AFP news agency reporting that the crowds then set fire to France's consular building in Port-Gentil. The election has been mired in controversy - with the announcement of results delayed amid a misunderstanding between election officials over how to verify the votes. All three of the main candidates declared victory in the poll - while another candidate went on hunger strike to protest against what he saw as irregularities in the election process. Sunday's vote was generally peaceful but tense, with long queues of voters waiting to chose a successor to Omar Bongo. One of the world's richest men, the late president owned a string of properties in France. He was an unflinching ally of France and a key element in French influence in Central Africa. But he denied corruption charges in French courts. BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says that Ali Ben Bongo is seen as less closely linked to the French elite than his father, despite being educated at the Sorbonne. He is also somewhat detached from ordinary Gabonese, struggling to speak local languages with real fluency, he says. Gabon is sub-Saharan Africa's fourth biggest oil producer and Africa's second biggest wood exporter, although most of its 1.4 million people live in poverty. Source: BBC

Confusion over Gabon candidates

Andre Mba Obame could be boosted by the ethnic vote Two days before elections in Gabon to replace the late President Omar Bongo, at least five out of 23 candidates have said they are pulling out of the race. They say they will now back Andre Mba Obame, a former government minister. But several other candidates denied media reports that they had also withdrawn in favour of Mr Obame. The favourite to win Sunday's poll is Ali Ben Bongo, the son of the former president who ruled Gabon from 1967 until his death in June. Some of the candidates have complained of voter registration irregularities, including Bruno Ben Moubamba, who has gone on hunger strike in protest. He, however, denied reports that he was one of those who had withdrawn from the race and was supporting Mr Obame. Following overnight talks, one of those pulling out of the race, Anna Claudine Assayi Ayo, said that "consultations resulted in a secret vote and the designation of Andre Mba Obame [as candidate]". Mr Obame was the interior minister under President Bongo. He was a senior member of the ruling Gabonese Democratic party (PDG) until deciding to run as an independent after it selected Ali Ben Bongo as its candidate. He, and some of those who withdrew from the election, are from the Fang ethnic group - Gabon's largest - and correspondents say this could help him pose a serious challenge to Mr Bongo. However, the anti-Bongo vote still looks set to be divided, while the PDG candidate enjoys the advantage of having the best-financed campaign. Gabon is a major oil producer but most of its 1.4 million people live in poverty. The late President Bongo was facing charges of corruption in a French court when he died. BBC

Gabon's interim leader sworn in

Rose Francine Rogombe fills a power vacuum left by Omar Bongo's death The speaker of the senate in Gabon has been sworn in as the country's interim head of state, following the recent death of President Omar Bongo. Under the constitution, Rose Francine Rogombe, an ally of Mr Bongo, must organise elections within 45 days. On Thursday, Mr Bongo's body will be repatriated from Spain where he had been undergoing medical treatment. Access to the internet in the oil-rich nation remains cut off, but the state's borders have been reopened. Minute's silence Ms Rogombe was sworn in at the International Conference Centre in the capital, Libreville, on Wednesday morning, a day after her appointment was confirmed by the constitutional court. OMAR BONGO Led Gabon for 42 years Kept close economic and political ties with France Oil money means Gabon officially one of richest countries in Africa His son is defence minister His daughter was his chief of staff He denied corruption charges in French courts Introduced multi-party elections in 1993 - opposition complained they were not fair Having a laugh with Omar Bongo Gabon teacher not mourning Bongo "I swear to devote all my strength to the good of the Gabonese people, with the aim of promoting its well-being and protecting it from all harm, to respect and defend the constitution and a state of law, and conscientiously to carry out my duties and to be fair to all," Ms Rogombe said. Before she took the oath, a minute's silence was held in the memory of Mr Bongo, AFP news agency reports. The death of the 73-year-old president, who was Africa's longest-serving leader, was announced on Monday. The government said Mr Bongo, who had led Gabon since 1967, had died of a heart attack, hours after saying he was alive and well. It emerged in May the president was being treated in a Barcelona clinic, amid unconfirmed reports he had cancer. On Thursday the late president's body will arrive back in the country where it will lie in state at the presidential palace in the capital. He will be buried at Franceville in the Bateke region of his birth in south-east Gabon on Thursday of next week. On Tuesday, Mr Bongo's son - Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo - appealed for calm following his father's death. Observers say the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) has been deciding who should succeed him, with his 50-year-old son a leading contender. The BBC's Linel Kwatsi, in Libreville, says the security forces are keeping a low profile on the capital's streets, which are quieter than usual. Gabon Telecom says the internet, cut since Sunday, has been hit by an optical fibre technical fault. But many believe the government has ordered the company to take Gabon off-line so as to control access to information in the aftermath of the president's death. The city's mayor has banned large gatherings and ordered nightclubs and bars to close, while security forces are on patrol.