Gabon presidential election won by Ali Bongo

Former defence minister Ali Bongo has won the Gabon presidential election.

Ali's father Omar Bongo, who died in June aged 73, ruled the central African country for almost 42 years, which ironically was the same amount as the percentage of the votes that Ali recieved.

CNN reports that violent protests have been occuring in some parts of Gabon since the result was announced three days ago.

The Angola Press Agency reports that troops have been deployed outside the football stadium in Gabon while the World Cup qualifier takes place, while protestors have accused France of fixing the result.

Gabon was a French colony and part of French Equatorial Africa from 1885 until 1960, when the first president Léon M'ba was elected. M'ba was succeeded by Omar Bongo in 1967.

Both Léon M'ba and Omar Bongo have been accused of doing more to help France than the Gabonese people.

For example, brilliant former anti-corruption magistrate and current special adviser to the Icelandic government Eva Joly highlighted Gabon's poor road infrastructure and high infant mortaility rate in June.