Gabon cuts internet as voting closes and opposition cries foul

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00:00 Since Saturday, Gabon has been in the grips of an information blackout.

00:04 Shortly after people in the country began casting their ballots to elect new local leaders,

00:09 lawmakers and a new president, the government announced it would cut off internet access.

00:14 It says the measure is aimed at preventing the spread of cause for violence.

00:18 A curfew has also been imposed.

00:20 "Being aware of the dangers of false information and manipulation on these platforms,

00:26 the government of the Gabonese Republic has decided to suspend internet access nationwide

00:32 from today until further notice.

00:34 Also, in order to prevent any excuses and preserve the security of the entire population,

00:40 a nationwide curfew has been decreed and will be enforced from this Sunday, August 27th,

00:45 until further notice."

00:49 The incumbent Ali Bongo is looking to secure a third term, extending his family's 56-year

00:54 hold on power.

00:56 His main opponent is Albert Ando Ossa.

00:59 The ALTA announced 2023 candidate accuses Bongo of vote-rigging.

01:03 This journalist who's following events from neighbouring Cameroon says the situation in

01:07 Gabon is chaotic.

01:09 "We've rarely seen this level of disorder during elections.

01:15 Some polling stations weren't open, the names of some candidates weren't on the ballots,

01:19 while there were other people on the ballots that weren't even candidates.

01:23 We saw all kinds of things."

01:27 While Bongo is likely to win another term, results are still unknown and no trend has

01:32 emerged.

01:34 The elections took place in the absence of foreign media and international observers.

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