In the oil-rich nation of Gabon, in central Africa, voting has begun. President Ali Bongo, who took over when his father Omar passed away in 2009, is running for a third term.
There are 13 people ready for his attention.
Albert Ondo Ossa, a rival candidate who recently joined the Alternance 2023 group, claims that “Gabon is not the property of the Bongos” and that he can take it to victory.
There are significant problems with the procedure, just like in previous general elections.
Opponents challenged Mr. Bongo’s previous victories as illegitimate, and just weeks before the election, contentious amendments to the ballots have been made this time.
Voters will be required to choose a president and a member of the government, who must be from the same party, on a single ballot for the first time.
According to experts, this hurts independent candidates, especially Mr. Ondo Ossa, the leader of the opposition Alternance 2023 group who doesn’t have his own party.
According to the lobbying group Reporters Without Borders, foreign media are not permitted to enter the nation to cover the election on Saturday.
Also absent will be any international election observers from the UN or EU.
Tournons La Page, a local civil society organization, says that despite not having official authorization, they will attempt to function as observers.
President Bongo accused Mr. Ondo Ossa and another opposition leader of treason just to the vote on Saturday.
The two have issued a statement through Alternance 2023 in which they accuse the government of engaging in “shameful manipulation” and refute charges that they were overheard discussing strategies to incite a power struggle in Gabon and win the backing of foreign powers.
Gabonese citizens are voting for mayors and local council members in addition to their choice of president and members of parliament.
With a population of 2.3 million, Gabon benefits from its oil wealth and vast tracts of rainforest.
However, the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on the world economy have resulted in a decline in raw material exports.
