Gabon presidential election: time for change or more of the same?

The document analyzes the 2009 presidential election in Gabon, arguing that Ali-Ben Bongo is likely to succeed his father, Omar Bongo, due to a fragmented opposition and the legacy of state control. It examines the role of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and the Presidential Majority, noting that while the elite are contesting state power, the use of oil revenues for cooptation has historically maintained Bongo family dominance. The author suggests that the new president's ability to manage internal party defections and opposition will determine if Gabon moves toward genuine pluralism or remains a 'virtual fiefdom'.

• Ali-Ben Bongo is considered almost certain to win the presidential election due to the historical dominance of his father and the fragmented nature of the opposition in Gabon.
• The elder Bongo maintained power for over 40 years by utilizing oil revenues to divide and weaken opposition through intimidation, repression, and cooptation.
• The 2009 election is characterized by a high number of candidates, including Ali-Ben Bongo, 20 rivals, and various independents and opposition leaders, reflecting a contest for state power among the elite influenced by regional and ethnic politics.
• The ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and the Presidential Majority are experiencing leadership instability, evidenced by defections such as that of former Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong.
• The election date was delayed to August 30, beyond the constitutionally required 45-day period after the previous president's death, following disputes over the voters' roll.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2009). Gabon presidential election: time for change or more of the same? https://saiia.org.za/research/gabon-presidential-election-time-for-change-or-more-of-the-same/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Gabon presidential election: time for change or more of the same? 2009. https://saiia.org.za/research/gabon-presidential-election-time-for-change-or-more-of-the-same/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Gabon presidential election: time for change or more of the same? |date=25 August 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/gabon-presidential-election-time-for-change-or-more-of-the-same/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2009gabon, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Gabon presidential election: time for change or more of the same?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/gabon-presidential-election-time-for-change-or-more-of-the-same/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }