Gabon elections
Gabon's economic woes arouse nostalgia for Omar Bongo
Franceville was the capital of the Haut-Ogooue region where Bongo was born in 1935, and also where he was laid to rest.
The controversial re-election of President Ali Bongo in August 2016 by just a few thousand votes led opposition leader Jean Ping to claim that victory had been stolen from him.
It ruled that Prime Minister Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet and the National Assembly were no longer legitimate because the government failed to hold the election on time.
President Ali Bongo was declared the election winner by fewer than 6,000 votes.
A statement read on state television said Bongo asked Issoze Ngondet to form an open government.
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.
Six died in riots that caused major damage in the capital, Libreville, and elsewhere in the country.
The court must rule by Friday on a request by Ping to recount votes in the province of Haut-Ogooue.
Former foreign minister Jean Ping lost the August election to President Ali Bongo by fewer than 6,000 votes.
Opposition leader Jean Ping says the election was a sham, and the EU’s questioned the validity of the results.
At least six people died in riots in Libreville & other cities in the days after the announcement of results.
Their protests undermined Bongo’s attempts to project stability following the election’s violent aftermath.
The AU and UN expressed concern over the violence, saying the situation could affect regional stability.
Violence erupted across Gabon on Wednesday following the announcement of a slim victory for Bongo.
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%.
President Ali Bongo's challenger, Jean Ping, has been accused of trying to destabilise the country.
Tensions are running high in Libreville, with many businesses shutting their doors.