Opposition urges general strike after disputed election

Gabon’s opposition leader appealed on Monday for a general strike to protest what he said was a fraudulent re-election of President Ali Bongo, but few heeded his call as economic activity picked back up in the capital Libreville.
Jean Ping, a former African Union Commission chairman who says he is now Gabon’s leader, said in a statement that his fight was not over following deadly riots last week.
“I ask you from today onward not to use violence but to resist by blocking the country’s economy,” he said, addressing all Gabonese. “I propose to cease all activity and begin a general strike.”
At least six people were killed and more than 1,000 arrested in violence after Wednesday’s announcement of a slim victory for Bongo. His family has run the oil-producing central African country – where the only refinery resumed operations on Monday – for half a century.