Jean Ping who narrowly lost the poll has gone into hiding after a military helicopter straffed his opposition party headquarters.

The United Nations Security Council and U.S. State Department have both appealed for calm  and urged Gabonese to accept the election result.

They’re also urging the security forces to accept the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Gabonese residents and citizens.

In the post-election violence, the National Assembly and other buildings have been set on fire.

Ali Bongo beat former chairman of the African Union Jean Ping 49.8 percent to 48.2 percent.

He came to power following the death of his father Omar Bongo in 2009, who held the presidency for 42 years.

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President Ali Bongo, seeking a second term, comes up against Jean Ping who was foreign minister in his father Omar Bongo’s government.

ends intro

Omar Bongo ruled the oil rich little country in west-central Africa for 42 years.

Now his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is seeking a second seven-year term as president on a pledge to diversify an economy that gets 60% of its revenue from oil.

The man  hoping to end the Bongo family’s long lock on power is former African Union Commission chief Jean Ping.

He faces an uphill battle against Bongo, who is backed by the country’s powerful elite and leaders of France, the country’s former colonial master.

Tensions are high ahead of the vote.

Opposition leaders have been barred from organising public rallies, raising fears of election fraud.

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