2 killed in Gabon, UNSC concerned over crisis

Two men died after overnight clashes between security forces and demonstrators, protesting after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of a contested election, in Gabon’s capital Libreville, witnesses said.

Bekam Ella Edzang, a 27-year-old law student, died of his wounds in a hospital on Friday.  In the Libreville district of Nzeng Ayong, dozens of protesters were seen carrying the body of a 30-year-old wrapped in a flag of the central African nation. His mother said he was shot outside his home on Thursday night. The toll has now mounted to five.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is deeply concerned by the violence in Gabon. The council on Thursday discussed the crisis at France's request and heard a report during a closed-door meeting from UN envoy for central Africa Abdoulaye Bathily, who is working to defuse tensions.

Council members "called upon all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other actors to remain calm, refrain from violence or other provocations and to resolve any eventual disputes through established constitutional and legal mechanisms," said New Zealand's Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who holds the council presidency this month.

The council expressed its "deep concern" and stressed the "importance of a transparent and impartial process" for the elections, he added.

Three people were killed and around 1,000 arrested during rioting after Bongo was declared the winner of the election.