Rep. Meeks Statement on Post-Elections Violence in Gabon

Rep. Meeks Statement on Post-Elections Violence in Gabon

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, senior Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the following statement regarding the post-election violence in Gabon:

"I am deeply concerned and saddened by the outbreak of violence in the evolving post-election crisis in the Republic of Gabon. The people of Gabon yearn for democratic principles and institutions, and that begins with fair and transparent elections that can provide credible results. As a co-sponsor of House Resolution 821, which urged the Government of Gabon to respect democratic principles during the elections held this past weekend, I am troubled by the many failures reported by the U.S. Embassy and the European Union observer mission’s preliminary report.

“I join the State Department, the United Nations, and observer missions from Africa and Europe in calling for a transparent verification of the electoral results by polling station, especially in the highly disputed Haut-Ogooué province. I further urge all sides to refrain from further acts of violence, and to respect civil liberties and rights."