Gabon: After the elections, the government shuts down the internet and imposes a curfew

the its government Gabon It was announced, on Saturday evening, immediately after the closing of polling stations for the presidential and parliamentary elections Curfews and suspension of internet access to “prevent the spread of calls for violence”.».

The measures were announced hours after Albert Ondo Osa, the main opposition candidate and the most dangerous rival to President Ali Bongo Odeba, who is seeking a third term, was accused of “orchestrated fraud” by Bongo’s camp in the presidential and parliamentary elections. today.

In order to avoid “the spread of calls for violence (…) and misinformation,” “the government has taken a decision to suspend access to the Internet throughout the province until further notice.” A curfew has been declared throughout the province and will come into effect from Sunday 27 August. “It will be in effect every day from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” Communications Minister Rodrigo Buba-Bissau told the public television channel.

The internet went down in the late afternoon.

The presidential and parliamentary elections were held on Saturday, without international observers, Africans and Europeans.

Sources: APE-MPE, AFP, Reuters