REMEMBERING ALI BONGO ONDIMBA

 Ali Bongo Ondimba (born Alain Bernard Bongo; 9 February 1959) is a Gabonese politician who has been President of Gabonsince October 2009.

Bongo is the son of Omar Bongo, who was President of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009. During his father's presidency, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991 and represented Bongoville as a Deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999; subsequently he was Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2009. Following his father's death after 41 years in power, he was first elected in the August 2009 presidential election. He was re-elected in August 2016, in elections marred by numerous irregularities, arrests, human rights violations and post-election violence. Bongo is also President of the PDG.

Before Fame

He attended Pantheon-Sorbonne University in France before entering politics. He joined the Gabonese Democratic Party in 1981 and would eventually become president of the party.

Trivia

Due to his nepotistic connections to government, his election was met with controversy and resulted in riots in Port-Gentil.

Family Life

He married Slyvia Bongo in 1989 and has four children. His father was president of Gabon from 1967 until his death and he has two sisters.