Omar Bongo’s dies; the succession race: quiet economic, and political terrorism

The death of the 73-year president of Gabon Omar Bongo Ondimba may be a surprise to some but many had already perceived this among which is Gabon’s influential colonial power France.

As reported in one of my earlier post relaying some information from BBC, in January this year, France flew in 300 paratroopers to the oil rich country as Bongo’s health deteriorated.

The flying /shipping of troops to Gabon where France equally has a military base is primarily to so-called protect French business interest and citizens in that country.

It is feared that succession disorder may occur following the death of the “patriarch” who had ruled Gabon with an iron fist for 41 years with the full support of France. Remember Bongo’s was himself designated by France’s Charles de Gaulle in 1967.

France must note that they must not support dissident groups, or continuously back the current Gabonese aristocracy.

It is also feared that the colonial power may either support the current repressive ruling class so as to continue having an influence in Gabon’s’ military, political and economic life or again, support dissident groups so as to cause chaos and then come in as peace keeping forces to continue “protecting” their economic interests or out rightly benefiting from the chaos.

Economic and political terrorism of African countries must stop. If France wants to “help” Gabon they should not in any way decide or influence on who would be the next leader. They should help the country and its people choose it leader or respect its constitution by not interfering in anyway whatsoever.

This is how most of Africa has been quietly economically terrorise and it resources looted to electrify, build and decorate houses and streets across the Atlantic when foreign powers directly or indirectly have influence on the various countries.

The death of rulers like Mobutu, Bongo (many more still alive) etc ought to bring but blessings to the nation which will be expected to freely choose its leader(s). However, since most of such leaders before dying have established a complicated set of deals with colonialist or imperialists and the ruling class, take off is often too hard. Often, leadership is a continuous relay of the colonial system.

It is time for Gabonese to cease this opportunity and make sure that in next political consultations they put in the leader (s) they want. Those who will be build an economically prosperous and technologically advance nation. Those who will redistribute its wealth to all citizens.

A repeat of the Togo’s scenario where late president Gnassingbé Eyadéma was replaced by his son Faure Eyadema and supported by most western countries against the wishes of the majority of Togolese and civil society organizations would be a bad example. Bongo’s son is the current defence minister and his daughter, cabinet chief of staff.

With a population of 1.5 million, Gabon has one of Africa’s highest per capital income due to it vast oil wealth. However, the majority of the population live in abject poverty. The ruling class controls the wealth most of which is embezzled and starched in western banks in countries like France, Switzerland etc.

These countries, which preach virtue, receive the ill-gotten wealth often without even verifying their real sources and in total disregard of basic banking and moral principles.

In France Bongo, himself is paradoxically under investigation by the judicial system of a country that has supported him for decades.

The litigations against Bongo may as well just be smokescreen and part of a well-calculated strategy for the host country to own the wealth since Bongo’s descendant may go through hell trying to justify the huge bank accounts and real estates ownership. Authority forgets a dying king

Stop economic and political terrorism of and in Africa.

The million-dollar question: Did president Omar Bongo actually die of Cancer from which he was supposedly suffering? The Gabonese government said he died of a heart attack, Monday june 9. His wife, Lucy-Edith earlier died in March 2009.