Omar Bongo

El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba (formerly Albert-Bernard Bongo) (born December 30, 1935 in Lewai - now Bongoville) has been the President of Gabon since 1967.

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When Gabon's first president, L?on M'ba, was dying of cancer in Paris, aides of Mitterand went to his deathbed every night to coerce him into appointing a new office of vice-president, and to let France select a vice-president who was friendly towards French interests: Albert-Bernard Bongo. Initially M'ba said no, but he gave in to pressure before his death. Bongo was elected as vice president in March 1967, alongside M'ba, and became president himself upon the death of M'ba on November 28, 1967. He converted to Islam in 1973 and changed his name to Omar. He added the surname Ondimba in 2003. In the early 1990s, he ended the one-party domination of the Gabonese Democratic Party and allowed multiparty elections in response to popular demand. These elections were held in 1993 and 1998; Bongo won both times, taking 51.2% and 66.88% of the vote respectively. Despite the reforms, it is generally thought that a non-independent judiciary and widespread corruption and patronage limit the ability of citizens to effectively change the government. Bongo thinks that it is better to have authoritarian government than democracy in Africa, because of tribal loyalties.

December 30: December 30 is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 1 day remaining....

1935: 1935 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar)....

Lewai: REDIRECT Bongoville...

Omar Bongo related Images and Photos (experimental)

Omar Daal	Omar Vizquel	Don Omar: IDON CD	Expresso Bongo
Omar Sharif and Ava Gardner: Mayerling 1968	Funny Girl Omar Sharif Barbra Streisand 1968	Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and City Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei (Island of Borneo)	The Mosque of Omar
Funny Girl Barbra Streisand Omar Sharif 1968	Beloved Enemy Merle Oberon Wearing Outfit Designed by Omar Kiam 1936