The Secretary-General spoke on 30 August by phone to H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and Mr. Jean Ping, presidential candidate of the Démocratie nouvelle party. He commended the peaceful holding of the presidential election on 27 August 2016. He welcomed the high voters’ turnout as well as the presence of a large number of national and international observers.

The Secretary-General expressed concern about the issuance of premature declarations on the outcome of the election ahead of the official announcement of the results.

He called on President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to impress upon their supporters the need to show restraint while waiting for the announcement of the provisional results scheduled for 30 August 2016.

The Secretary-General encouraged President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to address any dispute that may arise after the announcement of the results through the existing legal means, following a transparent and democratic process.

The Secretary-General reiterated the availability of his Special Representative for Central Africa, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, to assist in defusing tensions.