Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) released the following statement on the political crisis in Gabon:

“I am deeply concerned by the worsening political crisis in Gabon.  At least six have died in protests after election monitors raised alarm about results from the August 27 presidential election.  Today thousands remain in government prisons and a Gabonese minister has resigned in protest.

“Close scrutiny is prompting serious questions about the integrity of these election results.  For example, European Union observers have found an ‘obvious anomaly’ in one province where the incumbent president won 95 percent of votes with a 99 percent turnout.  This must be investigated.

“We can’t let this cloud of uncertainty loom over U.S. – Gabon relations.  The Obama administration should join our French allies in pushing for a recount.”

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