Gabon's president Bongo dies

This video is called Human Rights Council: “Human rights” and Gabon.

From the BBC:

Gabon‘s leader is confirmed dead

Omar Bongo died of a heart attack at a clinic in Spain

Africa’s longest serving leader -Gabonese President Omar Bongo – has died aged 73.

His death was confirmed by the country’s Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong in a written statement.

There had been conflicting reports earlier on Monday about whether Mr Bongo, who had led Gabon since 1967, had died in a Spanish clinic. …

The leader of the Senate, Rose Francine Rogombe, an ally of Mr Bongo, is expected to take over as interim leader. Under the constitution, elections must be held within 45 days.

Corruption allegations

But opposition leaders have claimed that Mr Bongo’s son, Ali-Ben Bongo, currently defence minister, has been manoeuvred to take over, and question whether any election would be free and fair. …

Mr Bongo became vice-president, and then president, of Gabon in 1967. He stopped work in May, and entered a clinic in Barcelona. Government officials insisted it was for a check-up, but other reports said he had cancer.

Mr Bongo faced a French inquiry into corruption allegations.

Oil earnings mean that Gabon is officially one of Africa’s richest states but analysts say that the political elite has kept most of the money for themselves. Most of the country’s 1.4 million people live in poverty.

From France 24:

Bongo nurtured close ties with former colonial power France, whose Total SA oil giant is one of the biggest investors in the country.

Gabonese President Omar Bongo (1935-2009). A tool of French imperialism in Africa: here.

Omar Bongo pocketed millions in embezzled funds, claims US cable: here.

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