[QODLink]
Riz Khan
Gabon vote
Will the upcoming presidential elections be free and fair?
Last Modified: 26 Aug 2009 12:06 GMT

Watch part two

Gabon will head to the polls on August 30 to elect a new president upon the death of Omar Bongo Ondimba, the late president of Gabon. 

But after 41 years under the reign of Bongo, will they have free and fair elections?

Democracy activists are raising concerns about possible vote tampering, going online to raise awareness and create election monitoring teams. 

Activists are using Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Ushahidia, a new African based website, trying to shed light on a process they say favours Bongo's son Ali Ben Bongo, the former defence minister and presidential candidate.

JOIN THE DEBATE


Send us your views and get your voice on the air

On Tuesday, Riz speaks with Gloria Mika, the Gabonese supermodel, who founded the group "Guardian Angels for Gabon."

They discuss whether or not these cyber activists can influence activists on the ground and what it means for democracy in West Africa.

This episode of the Riz Khan show aired from Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Source:
Al Jazeera
Topics in this article
Country
Featured on Al Jazeera
An unflinching portrait of physical labour in the 21st century.
The stark choice between a fascist or an imperialist course in Syria should be discarded for a third and better course.
Israel's propaganda machine carefully chooses its words to assert illegal ownership over Jerusalem and Palestine.
As Western fears grow over Iran's continuing nuclear programme, we ask how a military strike could impact the region.
<  > 
join our mailing list

Enter Zip Code
Go