Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has declared his intention to run for a third term as the leader of the oil-rich African nation. Making the announcement during a live speech on his Facebook page, President Bongo, 64, expressed his candidacy to a crowd of supporters.
Taking over from his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who governed Gabon for an impressive 41-year period, Ali Bongo assumed the presidency in 2009. However, his re-election in 2016 was marred by controversy when his opponent, Jean Ping, alleged electoral fraud, citing a slim margin of just 5,500 votes between them.
President Bongo faced a setback in 2018 when he suffered a stroke, leading to an extended period of recovery on the sidelines. This health crisis raised concerns among the opposition regarding his ability to effectively govern the nation. Additionally, the Bongo family’s continued reign, spanning 55 years, has earned them the label of a “dynastic power” by opposition groups.
Despite the criticism, the opposition has struggled to unite behind a single candidate for the upcoming presidential election. As a result, approximately 15 candidates have come forward to announce their intentions to run for the presidency.
In April, the Gabonese parliament passed a constitutional amendment to reduce the president’s term from seven to five years. However, certain factions within the opposition have criticized these changes, particularly the elimination of the two-round voting system, arguing that it serves as a way to “facilitate the re-election” of President Bongo.
The upcoming presidential election in Gabon promises to be a significant political event, as Ali Bongo Ondimba seeks a third term in the face of opposition and concerns about the country’s political landscape.