• Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Friday, July 4, 2025
Emerald News Nigeria
  • Home
  • Inside Delta
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Relationship
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Inside Delta
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Relationship
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Emerald News Nigeria
No Result
View All Result

Dethroned Gabon president and the shame of an embarrassing African Union

by Emerald Nigeria
August 31, 2023
in Special Report
ShareTweetShareShare

The world woke up on Wednesday to the streaming headlines of another coup in central Africa. This is even as African leaders, especially the West African regional bloc ECOWAS has been brainstorming on how to contain the coup in Niger, the Sahel region. Military junta in Niger took over power from democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum on July 26, 2023. ECOWAS had expressed disgust at the ouster of an elected president in Niger Republic. Leaders all over the world have condemned the junta’s intervention. It was not expected but the military boys had their reasons for sacking their elected president.

While leaders world over were putting heads together to resolve the Niger crisis without engaging in bloodbath, Gabon, a tiny country in central Africa with a population of 2,444,378 people as at Wednesday August 30,2023, according to Worldometer, was overrun by military junta following the country’s president’s desire to continue a third term in office as president. Available reports revealed that sacked President Ali Bongo, the son of Omar Bongo, had ruled for two terms of 14 years having won the first election in 2009 at the death of his father. This election was to allow him remain in office for third term.

Further reports say his father, Omar Bongo, had ruled the country from December 1967 up till 2009 when he died. Omar Bongo continued winning elections. He was elected again in 1973, 1979, 1986. In May 1990, a multi-party system was introduced, despite that, Omar Bongo won all presidential elections in 1993, 1998 and 2005 until he died in June 2009. At the death of Omar Bongo, his son Ali Bongo, was elected in August of same year and was sworn in as president on October 16, 2009. In 2016, Ali Bongo won election for a second term in office. On October 24, 2019, Ali Bongo suffered stroke in Saudi Arabi, leaving him absent for many months.

On August 26, 2023, he contested election for third term and was declared winner again on August 30, 2023 and as soon as the result was declared, the tired and unhappy military officers struck, cancelled the election results and declared that they have taken over power. His father ruled for 41 years while he himself had ruled for 14 years.  His dream very likely was to continue and overtake the years of his father. But thanks to the military who cut short the dream.

The issue here is that the Bongos had converted the presidency of Gabon to a family affair. They cared for the feelings of none. Even though he was under stroke, he wanted to perpetuate himself in power. The people of the country must have been systematically coerced and terrorised to allow them remain in power. The electoral process must have been heavily compromised and the opposition parties heavily terrorized. The Bongos restricted the power to their family members, allegedly stealing the money and living luxurious lives in France while other citizens wallowed and pined away in penury.

In the midst of all this, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which has metamorphosed into African Union (AU) kept mute, finding no fault in the sit-tight-posture of the Bongos. Perhaps, his father was taking care of the organization, hence leaders of the union turned a blind eye to the sit tight posture of the Bongos. This is where leaders of the AU failed and that very woefully. How on earth should a president remain in power for 41 years, manipulating the electoral process, terrorizing the people and winning consecutive elections against the wish of the people of the Republic of Gabon.

Also Read:

BREAKING: Two military generals arrested, dismissed over attempted plans to topple presidency

BREAKING: Former president’s wife jailed over money laundering, forgery, falsification of records

JUST IN: Another coup attempt in Africa? Check what’s happening in Congo

Gabon coup: Ex-military generals warn politicians, reveal what Tinubu, other African leaders must do to avoid overthrow

We cannot just say a nation is democratic, there must be limits to how long a leader should oppress his people. The people of Gabon must have suffered but no one to speak for them.  The AU failed in its commitment to African unity by condoning sit tight despots who must have despotically manipulated the will of the people and remained in power despite public outcry against them.

While no one with sane mind will endorse military coup in this present age and time, the sit tight posture of the father and son is highly condemnable. A father cannot rule for 41 years and the son takes over and planning to rule longer than his father. Despite the fact that the country is smaller than Delta state with just 2.4million persons, there are others who can lead better than the Bongos or possibly build on the legacies of the Bongos.

If the father and son could behave like this, then, it is probable that their children must have held the most juicy departments in the administration of the Bongos.

African Union must wake up to its role to Africans. The western world is seeing Africans as people with little brains but overtaken with heavy dose of corruption and the craze for power. While it is supported that power should return to ousted President Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic, no right thinking man on earth will call for power to be returned to the Bongos in Gabon. That will be the height of insanity, despotism and wickedness. The deposed and arrested Bongo should be prosecuted, tried and made to surrender assets and funds stolen if found guilty by the law. And having returned all, he should be jailed if the law says so.

 

Tags: Ali BongocoupGabon
ShareTweetShareSend
Previous Post

Sacked, detained Gabon president cries to international community for help

Next Post

Another cross-dresser James Brown makes strong statement over arrest of gay wedding suspects in Delta

Related Posts

Senator Nwoko hosts African diplomats in continental push for restitution and justice

Senator Nwoko hosts African diplomats in continental push for restitution and justice

July 2, 2025
DOPF Confab: Five Discussants Selected To Discuss Lecture Theme

ANTI-OPEN GRAZING LAW: Delta Activist Mulade Laments Non-Implementation, Says State Government Lacks Political Will After 4 Years of Passage

July 2, 2025
You’ve been a pillar of support to our people – Senator Nwoko celebrates Dein of Agbor at 48

You’ve been a pillar of support to our people – Senator Nwoko celebrates Dein of Agbor at 48

June 30, 2025
Ned Nwoko states why dialogue is the best solution to ethnic agitations

Injustices done to Africa must be restituted by colonial masters – Ned Nwoko says

June 28, 2025
Senator Ned Nwoko Backs New Drug Rehabilitation Institute, Calls for Focused National Response

Senator Ned Nwoko Backs New Drug Rehabilitation Institute, Calls for Focused National Response

June 25, 2025
Delta First Lady Extends Food Outreach to 400 Households Under Renewed Hope Initiative

Delta First Lady Extends Food Outreach to 400 Households Under Renewed Hope Initiative

June 25, 2025
Next Post
Another cross-dresser James Brown makes strong statement over arrest of gay wedding suspects in Delta

Another cross-dresser James Brown makes strong statement over arrest of gay wedding suspects in Delta

Trending

  • Delta Government Clarifies Indecent Dressing Law, Sends Message to Law Enforcement Agents

    Delta Government Clarifies Indecent Dressing Law, Sends Message to Law Enforcement Agents

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Senator Nwoko wins big as 85 Senators endorse creation of Anioma state ahead of July 4 public hearing

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Labour Party issues 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi to take this decision

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (Watch Video): Leaked S3x tape of another Nigerian celebrity is shared online, victim reacts as her video goes viral

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • You misrepresented facts in your press interview – APC chieftain replies Festus Okubor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Peter Obi Declares Support for ADC, Unveils 2027 Political Roadmap

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Strategic Representation: Senator Nwoko Secures Federal Appointments Across Key Sectors for Constituents

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We Will Celebrate His Life, Mourn His Death – Mayor of Urhoboland Commiserates with Dantata Family

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • You’ve been a pillar of support to our people – Senator Nwoko celebrates Dein of Agbor at 48

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Delta North 2027: Senator Ned Nwoko holds the ace, and here’s why

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Latest Stories

RERO TV set to Mark 5th Anniversary August 13 in Sapele

July 3, 2025

History Beckons As Senator Nwoko’s Anioma State Creation Bill Reaches Crucial Milestone

July 3, 2025

Labour Party issues 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi to take this decision

July 3, 2025

Peter Obi Declares Support for ADC, Unveils 2027 Political Roadmap

July 3, 2025

Udu protests misguided, projects are verifiable – Delta government says

July 2, 2025

Delta North 2027: Senator Ned Nwoko holds the ace, and here’s why

July 2, 2025

Delta Government Clarifies Indecent Dressing Law, Sends Message to Law Enforcement Agents

July 2, 2025

Senator Nwoko hosts African diplomats in continental push for restitution and justice

July 2, 2025

ANTI-OPEN GRAZING LAW: Delta Activist Mulade Laments Non-Implementation, Says State Government Lacks Political Will After 4 Years of Passage

July 2, 2025

Strategic Representation: Senator Nwoko Secures Federal Appointments Across Key Sectors for Constituents

July 1, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2024 Emerald News Nigeria.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Emerald News Nigeria
  • Inside Delta
    • Niger Delta
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Relationship
  • Special Report

© 2024 Emerald News Nigeria.