Ali Bongo – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Anti-government protesters in Chile defend themselves against a police water cannon, Santiago, Nov. 15, 2019. AP Photo/Luis Hidalgo

December 27, 2019

Countries to watch in 2020, from Chile to Afghanistan: 5 essential reads

There's much more going on in the world than the Trump impeachment and Brexit. Here are five momentous global stories to track in 2020.

Campaign ads for Ali Bongo in his successful 2009 bid to succeed his father as president of Gabon. The Bongo family has lead Gabon uninterrupted for over 50 years. Reuters/Daniel Magnowski

April 1, 2019

As its ruling dynasty withers, Gabon – a US ally and guardian of French influence in Africa – ponders its future

Gyldas A. Ofoulhast-Othamot, University of Tampa

Gabon's strongman president, Ali Bongo, is barely clinging to power after contested elections, a stroke and a coup attempt. The Bongo family has run this stable central African nation for 52 years.

A coup attempt failed in Gabon, following President Ali Bongo’s extended illness and absence. EPA/Stringer

January 15, 2019

The coup in Gabon surprised everyone. Why forecasts, and the plot, failed

Clayton Besaw, University of Central Florida and Jonathan Powell, University of Central Florida

Gabon is a wealthy and stable country and this might explain why the January 7 coup attempt failed.

Gabonese President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, wants to be president for life. Thorston Wagner/EPA

March 4, 2018

Why there may be a silver lining to Ali Bongo’s power grab in Gabon

David E Kiwuwa, University of Nottingham

Gabon's Ali Bongo Ondimba has watched over constitutional changes that have given him far reaching powers.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Joseph Kabila. Time to step aside. Reuters/Kenny Katombe

February 15, 2018

With a busy election schedule, Africa needs a reversal of the old order

Mohamed M Diatta, Sciences Po – USPC

Africa needs strong institutions. But they can only be built if there's a change in leadership.

Duo Movaizhaleine and artist Wonda Wendy take a minute’s silence to honor the dead during a concert in Paris, February 2017. Silber Mba

October 3, 2017

Gabon’s political force is its thriving hip-hop scene

Alice Aterianus-Owanga, Université de Lausanne

Rap has become instrumental in constructing identity and radically reshaping relations to politics in Gabon and other African states.

The charred interior of the Gabon’s parliament after it was burned in post-election protests in Libreville. Edward McAllister/Reuters

October 6, 2016

African citizens have very low levels of trust in how elections are run

Peter Penar, Michigan State University

National electoral commissions are crucial in shaping public perceptions of how well democracy is working. Poor electoral management can enable fraud and produce political alienation.

The remains of a burned car outside Gabon’s National Assembly. It was set alight during unrest after the disputed reelection of President Ali Bongo. Reuters/Edward McAllister

October 5, 2016

Gabon: no sign in sight of a family dynasty being displaced

Florence Bernault, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ali Bongo seems to have won Gabon's elections. Yet his contested "victory" has radically changed the political field in this soft democracy, one of Africa's richest and most stable.

Protesters in Paris against Gabonese President Ali Bongo with placards reading: 1967-2016, 50 years in power is enough! AAP

September 6, 2016

Gabon violence reflects longstanding and deep mistrust of election handling

Peter Penar, Michigan State University

Gabon has the lowest trust ratings of any election commission among the 36 African countries surveyed by Afrobarometer.

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