(Opinion) For over half a century, the Bongo family has held Gabon in an iron grip, treating it as if it were a family estate passed down from one generation to the next.
The recent military coup, which saw President Ali Bongo Ondimba placed under house arrest and his son and senior officials arrested for high treason, marks the end of an era.
But is it a step towards democracy or merely a substitution of one dictatorship for another?
The coup, announced on state television after electoral authorities declared Bongo’s re-election, was met with a range of reactions from the international community.
China expressed concern for Ali Bongo’s safety, France denounced the coup, and Russia expressed deep concern.
Despite these reactions, it is hard to deny that the Bongo dynasty’s rule was characterized by irresponsible and unpredictable governance, as pointed out by the soldiers in their statement.
The circumstances surrounding the recent elections were suspicious at best.
Despite having just six days to campaign, Bongo Ossa’s main rival, Albert Ondo Ossa, received 30.77% of the votes.
The official election results were announced at an odd hour, during a curfew, and with the internet cut off throughout the country.
According to the Bongo administration, this was to prevent the spread of fake news and potential acts of violence, but it raised questions about the legitimacy of the elections.
The exclusion of Jean Boniface Assélé, Ali Bongo Ondimba’s uncle, from the elections highlighted the Bongo family’s paradox.
A family characterized by authoritative power, immense wealth, and persistent family feuds has dominated Gabonese politics since 1967.
The family’s feuds did not end with Omar Bongo’s death in 2009.
Ali Bongo isolated his half-sister Pascaline and faced opposition from other siblings seeking their father’s vast but opaque inheritance.
Bongo blocked family and officials from funds and opposition, showcasing his determination to centralize power.
Despite suffering a stroke in 2018, Ali Bongo Ondimba ran for re-election in 2023, with his son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, serving as a strategic advisor and campaign manager.
This move, coupled with the allegations of fraud and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the elections, raises questions about the legitimacy of Bongo’s rule.
The military coup, while ending the Bongo dynasty, does not automatically mean a brighter future for Gabon.
Soldiers dissolved institutions to end the regime and defend peace due to deteriorating social cohesion.
It’s unclear if this will bring democracy or another dictatorship.
The international community must keep a close eye on developments in Gabon and offer support in the transition to democracy.
The Gabonese people deserve nothing less after over 55 years under the Bongo family’s rule.
The fall of a dynasty can be a new dawn for Gabon, but only if the right steps are taken to ensure a smooth transition to democracy.