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.

Biography

When Gabon's first president, Léon 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.

Related Topics:
Léon M'ba - 1967 - November 28 - Converted - Islam - 1973 - 1990s - Gabonese Democratic Party - 1993 - 1998

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In 2003, the constitution was changed to eliminate any restrictions on the number of terms a president can serve; Bongo's critics have accused him of intending to rule for life. Bongo announced his candidacy for the 2005 presidential election on October 1; on October 6 it was announced that the election will be held on November 27, although security forces will vote two days earlier. http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=49406&SelectRegion=West_Africa

Related Topics:
2003 - 2005 - October 1 - October 6 - November 27

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Bongo's wife is the daughter of Congolese president Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Bongo is also one of the wealthiest heads of state in the world, and this is attributed mainly to oil revenue and corruption.

Related Topics:
Congolese - Denis Sassou-Nguesso

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