Gabon

Election planned for Bongo's successor

Article published on the 2009-06-12 Latest update 2009-06-13 10:11 TU

Late Gabonese President Omar Bongo's coffin, in Barcelona, 11 June 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Gabon's government announced on Friday that it would start preparing an election after the death of Omar Bongo, who was president for 41 years. His body is lying in state until next week, when he will be buried.

Gabonese Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong made the announcement after a cabinet meeting in Libreville.

He said that acting President Rose Francine Rogombe "asked the government to take steps to organise the presidential election. The government must begin work at once."

She took over as head of state under the constitution after the announcement on Monday of Bongo's death. The document says that she has 45 days to organise an election, unless the Constitutional Court duly notes a force majeure.

The AFP news agency quoted sources saying that the nation's electoral roll must be revised before such a vote.

The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party is discussing choosing Bongo's son, Defence Minister Ali Ben Bongo, as its candidate.

A likely opposition candidate, Pierre Mamboundou, President of the Union of Gabonese People, said that citizens should back Rogombe's decisions as elections are being organised.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have been filing past Bongo's coffin in the chapel of the Presidential Palace in Libreville. The country is in 30 days of official mourning.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office announced on Thursday that he will be attending the funeral, scheduled for this coming Thursday.