Libreville, Gabon | Xinhua | On the eve of the general elections in Gabon, the United Nations has reiterated the call for a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process, said a UN statement on Friday.
Presidential, legislative, and local elections will take place nationwide on Saturday. Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) is running for his third term and will face 18 other candidates.
The UN warned against intimidation, violence, violations of human rights, and attacks on freedom of expression, according to the statement. It encourages competent authorities and all other stakeholders, including presidential, legislative, and local candidates and their supporters, to give priority to dialogue and recourse to legal means to resolve any disagreements.
“Gabon must come out of this electoral process stronger, and not weakened,” said Abdou Abarry, special representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for Central Africa, reaffirming his determination and availability to contribute to the consolidation of democratic achievements and the sustainable development of Gabon.