Opposition supporters went on the rampage Thursday in Gabon after Ali-Ben Bongo, whose late father ruled the tiny West African nation for more than 41 years, was declared the winner of Sunday's presidential elections, dpa reported. Protestors stormed a jail and set a French consulate on fire in the town of Port Gentil after the interior minister announced on state television that Bongo had received 41.7 per cent of the vote, Radio France International (RFI) reported. Opposition figures have long accused France of propping up the regime of Omar Bongo, Ali-Ben's father. On Monday, Bongo and his main rivals, Andre Mba Obame and Pierre Mambounda, all claimed victory. The electoral commission was due to announce the results Wednesday, but the announcement was delayed, further stoking tensions. Bongo was the pre-election favourite, commanding the support of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and, by extension, the security forces. Mamboundou's cabinet chief, Hermann Ditsoga, said that Bongo had used this support to manipulate the election. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on political leaders in Gabon to exercise restraint, saying they should "refrain from any action which could jeopardize the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process." Ali-Ben's father, Omar Bongo, ruled virtually unchallenged until his death of natural causes in June. At the time, he was the world's longest serving leader. -- SPA
