Gabon’s president had made attempts to modernise his government, but he has struggled to escape the shadow of his father in the decade since he took power.
The attempted coup against Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has cast the spotlight on one of Africa’s most controversial leaders. Since succeeding his father in 2009, his time as president has been marred by accusations of electoral fraud, human rights abuses, and nepotism.
Privileged beginnings
Alain Bernard Bongo was born in 1959 in Brazzaville in the neighbouring Republic of Congo. His mother Patience Dabany was a famous Gabonese singer. His father was the long-time ruler of Gabon, Omar Bongo.
In 1973, the Bongo family converted to Islam, after which Alain’s name was changed to Ali. He studied law at the Sorbonne in Paris, where he frequented the clubbing scene. Despite his studies, he soon followed in the musical footsteps of his mother, releasing a funk album.
From musician to politician
However, encouraged by his father, Ali Bongo quickly abandoned his music career in order to pursue his political ambitions. His father appointed him foreign minister in 1989 and he went on to lead the defence ministry, a position he held until the death of his father in 2009.
Ali Bongo’s succession to the presidency did not come as a surprise, given the years spent inside his father’s political circle. Gabon held elections in late 2009 which reaffirmed Bongo’s mandate to govern. However, the announcement of his victory was soon followed by mass protests and violence, leaving several people dead. An attempt by the opposition to challenge the election results ultimately failed, paving the way for Bongo to lead the country.
Bongo narrowly won his second election in 2016, which again sparked a wave of unrest across the country after the opposition disputed the official results. Bongo’s biggest political rival, Jean Ping, went so far as to declare himself the winner even after Bongo’s victory was confirmed.
As the dust settled, Bongo attempted to paint himself as an agent of change – “renewal” and “innovation” became his new buzzwords, and he replaced government officials from his father’s era with a younger generation. But his plan failed to convince his detractors, who still considered him less-adept than his father and out of touch with the people due to his privileged upbringing. In particular, his extravagant spending – especially on cars – has alienated many, in a country where between 60 and 70% of the people live below the poverty line. The majority of his rule has also been tainted by an extensive French investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving the assets of the Bongo family.
Yet, Ali Bongo has been recognised by some observers for implementing a number of important political reforms. Journalist Seidick Abba credits him with modernising the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), and for pushing through a law banning the export of tropical woods. “That was probably one of his most important measures which had an impact on the sustainable development of the wood sector in the country,” says Abba. “With his policies, Ali Bongo has helped diversity Gabon’s economy.”
Speculation about ill health
In October 2018, Ali Bongo travelled to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment after suffering a stroke, though his advisers and other people close to him refused to reveal any more details about his state of health. Bongo’s long absence led to numerous rumours about his failing health, yet it was several weeks before the government installed Vice President Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou as interim president to ensure continuity.
Bongo attempted to quell the rumours by appearing in a televised New Year message, in which he insisted he was feeling fine and recovering in Morocco. However, Gabonese soldiers branded the speech as “pitiful” and described it as a “relentless bid to cling on to power.”
