Washington, United States | AFP | Monday’s US presidential debate, a combat of titans pitting the Democrat Hillary Clinton against the Republican Donald Trump, is sure to be a major moment in the campaign, with just six weeks left before the November 8 election. This first of three debates will …
Read More »Africa’s disputed elections
Paris, France | AFP | Gabon’s disputed election, which culminated Saturday with the constitutional court’s confirmation of President Ali Bongo’s victory, is the latest in a long list of violence-tinged ballots in Africa: Ivory Coast After a five-month-standoff, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo was detained on April 11, 2011 by forces …
Read More »Gabon’s Ali Bongo: dynastic scion in his father’s shadow
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Ali Bongo, whose re-election victory was upheld by Gabon’s constitutional court Saturday, has long sought to emerge from the shadow of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled the country for 41 years until his death in 2009. Bongo, a stockily-built 57-year-old, is variously known by …
Read More »Gabon court upholds President Ali Bongo’s election win
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s constitutional court has upheld President’s Ali Bongo’s re-election victory, rejecting an appeal by rival Jean Ping, who had called for a recount over widespread allegations of fraud. The court, while partially changing the results of the close August 27 vote, said Bongo maintained a …
Read More »US lawmakers: Russian hackers aim to disrupt election
Washington, United States | AFP | Two US lawmakers who are members of their respective intelligence committees said Thursday that a spate of recent cyber attacks suggests Russia is trying to disrupt the November election. “Based on briefings we have received, we have concluded that the Russian intelligence agencies are …
Read More »Tense Gabon awaits court ruling on presidential vote
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s constitutional court is to rule as early as Friday who will be the country’s next president, ending weeks of uncertainty after disputed polls sparked a political crisis and violent protests. Incumbent President Ali Bongo, the son of late autocratic ruler Omar Bongo, was declared …
Read More »In first US presidential debate, pressure on moderator
Washington, United States | AFP | Lester Holt knows how to manage pressure. He anchors the most-watched nightly news show on US television. But as moderator of the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump next Monday, the pressure could go through the roof. Democrat Clinton and Republican …
Read More »Gabon rivals reach tenuous deal on poll recount
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Lawyers for President Ali Bongo and opposition leader Jean Ping told AFP on Tuesday said they have agreed to a poll recount for August’s contested presidential vote, though the methodology remains in dispute. “The parties have reached agreement on a vote recount,” said Ping’s lawyer …
Read More »George H.W. Bush to vote for Democrat Clinton? A Kennedy says so
Washington, United States | AFP | Former president George H.W. Bush plans to vote for Hillary Clinton in November, the niece of president John F. Kennedy wrote in a Facebook posting. “The President told me he’s voting for Hillary!!” read the caption of a picture Kathleen Kennedy Townsend posted on …
Read More »Putin’s party scores crushing win in Russia parliament vote
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia’s ruling United Russia party has cruised to an easy victory in parliamentary polls that could pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to glide to a fourth term in 2018 elections, partial results showed. Sunday’s ballot for the 450-seat State Duma was smooth sailing …
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