Gabon’s incumbent president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power since 2009, has officially declared his candidacy for re-election in the upcoming presidential poll scheduled for August 26. This move comes as no surprise, given the widespread expectation of Bongo’s victory.
Ali Bongo, the son of the late former president Omar Bongo, who held sway over Gabon from 1967 to 2009, enjoys steadfast support from the Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG), a political party founded by his father. The PDG has effectively maintained its grip on the resource-rich Central African nation for more than half a century.
The Bongo family’s dynastic rule has spanned an impressive 56-year period. Their authority has been sustained through the dominance of a solitary political party, allegations of corruption within the mining and oil sectors, and the perpetuation of political affiliations. Estimates suggest that Ali Bongo personally commands an astonishing $1 billion in assets, a significant portion of which is discreetly held overseas, solidifying his position as Gabon’s wealthiest individual.
The country’s constitution has undergone several amendments over the years, each aimed at securing the enduring governance of the Bongo family.
Drawing parallels with other African nations, a recurring pattern emerges where the offspring of founding leaders ascend to power years after their predecessors’ departure from office. Notable instances include Botswana’s President Ian Khama, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Mauritius’s Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. In each case, the transfer of power occurred more than a decade after the father’s tenure ended. This extended timeframe allowed citizens to assess the father’s leadership legacy and make informed decisions about their successors. By the time these sons assumed leadership roles, their countries had established histories of competitive elections, and their transitions occurred in an atmosphere of relative electoral tranquility and constitutional stability.
Similarly, President Peter Mutharika of Malawi followed a comparable trajectory, rising to the presidency years after his brother’s passing while in office.
