Gabon’s wealthy, dynastic leader thought he could resist Africa’s trend of coups. He might be wrong

Gabon’s affluent and dynastic leader, Ali Bongo Ondimba, believed he could resist the prevailing trend of military coups in Africa. However, recent events suggest he might have miscalculated.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, the president of Gabon, was acutely aware of the historical prevalence of military coups in his region. Despite this, he staunchly asserted that such an event would not befall him. In a recent declaration, he reassured his nation during the commemoration of Gabon’s 60 years of independence from France that he would not allow destabilization efforts to hold his country hostage.

For much of the past six decades, Gabon has been under the rule of Ali Bongo’s family, emphasizing their entrenched influence. Yet, the situation has taken a dramatic turn. A group of mutinous Gabonese security forces, appearing on state television early one Wednesday, proclaimed that Ali Bongo Ondimba was now under house arrest. They leveled allegations of “unpredictable, irresponsible governance” against him. The soldiers, asserting their authority, claimed that individuals in Bongo’s inner circle had been detained for charges including “high betrayal,” embezzlement, and corruption. However, it remains unclear whether these charges apply to the president himself.

Bongo, in a brief video shared with media outlets shortly after the soldiers’ announcement, expressed his uncertainty about the situation. The backdrop of the room in which he sat was adorned with an image of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, educated in France and a former funk musician, stepped into the political realm and ascended to the presidency in 2009 following his father’s 41-year rule. This transition perpetuated Gabon’s association with both France and the United States in terms of security partnerships. The longevity of his family’s rule seemingly bolstered Bongo’s confidence in the face of military upheaval that had affected other French-speaking African nations.

However, his tenure has not been without challenges. He secured his second seven-year term in 2016 amid contentious circumstances, marked by violent protests. Additionally, a stroke in late 2018 rendered him unable to fulfill his duties for several months. In early 2019, mutinous soldiers attempted a coup during Bongo’s recuperation in Morocco, but the attempt was swiftly quelled.

The recent coup, declared just hours after Bongo was declared the victor in a presidential election, has left the future uncertain. The coup leaders claimed that Bongo’s family and medical team were present with him in his residence, yet details regarding his health remained undisclosed.

Bongo’s tenure as a leader spans a region where extended incumbency is a norm. Gabon’s neighboring countries are governed by leaders who have retained power for decades. For instance, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang has been in office since 1979, while Cameroon’s Paul Biya assumed office in 1982. Denis Sassou Nguesso, in the Republic of Congo, held office from 1979 to 1992 and returned in 1997.

Despite Gabon’s oil wealth, which has benefitted its ruling elite linked by familial ties, widespread discontent has surged due to visible inequalities. Critics characterize the nation as an “oil emirate” managed as a family asset for nearly 60 years. Economic hardships, coupled with rising prices, have fueled public frustration.

Ali Bongo Ondimba stands as one of Africa’s wealthiest heads of state, prompting closer examination of his and his family’s wealth. Investigations in both the U.S. and France have scrutinized substantial assets.

For the majority of Gabon’s populace, economic struggles have intensified. In an Independence Day address on August 17, Bongo acknowledged the prevailing impatience and aspirations for better outcomes. He outlined governmental measures to mitigate fuel price hikes, enhance education affordability, and stabilize the cost of essentials like bread. In a move to combat the soaring cost of living, Gabon established a ministry in January, as per the World Bank.

While appealing for public support, Bongo has concurrently faced allegations of suppressing opposition. The abolition of presidential term limits two decades ago and the absence of international observers in the recent general election have raised concerns about political fairness.

Notably, despite growing anti-French sentiment in parts of Africa, Bongo has expressed affability toward France. President Emmanuel Macron’s assertion that the era of “Francafrique” had concluded was delivered during his visit to Gabon. This declaration countered assertions that Paris upheld authoritarian regimes on the continent.

Now, confined within his residence, Ali Bongo Ondimba seeks assistance from allies. In recent years, he has endeavored to project Gabon as a global leader in environmental conservation rather than a case study in prolonged power retention.

The United Nations recognized Gabon as “probably the most carbon-positive country in the world” due to its commitment to environmental conservation. In 2021, Gabon earned payments for its efforts to reduce deforestation-related emissions. Despite these accomplishments, the jubilant scenes in the capital streets, where people celebrated their newfound freedom, have cast a shadow over Bongo’s environmental initiatives.

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• Gabon’s Efforts in Environmental Conservation
• France’s Relationship with Gabon
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