Ali bongo
Gabon threatens crackdown over theft of sacred wood
Customs officers had discovered the collection of rare hardwood worth millions of dollars in February and March at two Chinese-owned depots at the Owendo timber...
Contradictory information about Bongo’s health and an extended convalescence in Morocco have fuelled instability in Gabon which his family has ruled for over 50 years.
The 59-year-old has been recuperating abroad for more than two months, following a stroke in October last year.
Gabon has been without an effective government for months since President Ali Bongo fell ill while attending an economic forum in Saudi Arabia on 24 October.
A group of five soldiers sought to take power while Ali Bongo, the country’s ailing president, convalesces abroad following a stroke while he was in Saudi Arabia in October.
According to a government spokesman, security forces have been deployed in the capital and will remain there over the coming days in order to maintain order.
Bongo suffered a stroke while at a conference in Saudi Arabia on 24 October, sources told Reuters.
During the visit, King Mohammed VI said he was pleased about the state of President Ali Bongo’s health which he said was improving by the day, according to the Moroccan source.
As he departed King Salman airbase on Wednesday night, Bongo was seen off by officials from the Saudi foreign ministry,the official Saudi Press Agency said.
Lawmakers are at odds, with growing public protests calling for an end to the President Ali Bongo dynasty.
Bongo's victory by less than 6,000 votes has drawn unwelcome scrutiny of the president.
The refusal by Ping raises the prospect of a potentially violent political crisis in the country.
Violent protests raged in at least nine neighbourhoods of the capital Libreville, a police source said.
Ali Bongo won 49.80% of votes, compared to 48.23% for Jean Ping, with a turnout of 59.46%.
Tensions are running high in Libreville, with many businesses shutting their doors.
Gabon voted on Saturday amid discontent over its failure to raise living standards despite oil wealth.