Libreville, Gabon | Xinhua | Ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo can go abroad for medical checkups, according to the country’s transitional government. “Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba is free to move. He can, if he wishes, go abroad to carry out …
Read More »Army officers say they are taking power in Gabon
Libreville, Gabon | XINHUA| Gabonese military officers have canceled election results and dissolved state institutions, claiming they have taken power, local media reported on Wednesday. The African country’s borders are closed until further notice, said the reports, adding gunfire was heard in the capital Libreville. The officers said that the general election …
Read More »Kanda Bongo-Man takes Ugandans down memory lane
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Thousands of music enthusiasts converged at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel to welcome the new year with a musical concert featuring legendary Congolese star Kanda Bongo-Man. The crowd that had filled Sheraton garden was treated to an energetic performance from Team no sleep …
Read More »Gabon’s sole train a lifeline for its people and economy
Franceville, Gabon | AFP | The sky turns from indigo to ebony as the tropical night falls, and the train patiently thrusts through the jungle towards its destination, still hundreds of kilometres (miles) away. The trek has the hallmarks of one of the world’s Great Forgotten Train Journeys — a …
Read More »Gabon’s Bongo shaky, but ‘firmly in control’ after stroke
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s presidency said Monday that a recent speech showed leader Ali Bongo was “firmly in control” of the country after he suffered a stroke 10 months ago that fuelled speculation about his ability to rule. The opposition has claimed that President Bongo is unfit …
Read More »Gabon’s Bongo re-emerges, attends independence parade
Gabon’s Bongo attends independence parade in rare public appearance Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s President Ali Bongo on Saturday made a rare public appearance to attend the country’s independence day celebrations, nearly ten months after suffering a stroke that fuelled speculation about his ability to rule. Bongo, whose every …
Read More »Gabon president Bongo leaves Morocco to fly home
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Gabon’s ailing President Ali Bongo left Morocco on Monday to fly home days after security forces there foiled an attempted coup, a source close to the leader said. “Doctors have judged that the journey does not present any danger for his health,” the source said, …
Read More »Gabon foils coup attempt, with ailing president out of country
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon foiled an attempted coup on Monday, capturing the rebel chief and killing two of his men after a group of soldiers stormed a radio station to call for an uprising while the country’s ailing president was abroad. Renegade soldiers burst into RTG state radio …
Read More »Gabon soldiers call for uprising, shots heard in capital
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon soldiers on state radio early Monday called on the people to “rise up” and announced a “national restoration council” would be formed, as an ailing President Ali Bongo is out of the country. Shots were heard in the around state television headquarters in …
Read More »Gabon president leaves Morocco hospital
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has left hospital in Rabat and will stay at a private residence in the Moroccan capital as he recovers from illness, a presidency source said Wednesday. The 59-year-old, who fell ill on October 24 at an economic forum, arrived in Morocco …
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