A high-level meeting in Gabon has African leaders focused on how the continent can provide solutions to the global climate crisis, with President Ali Bongo Ondimba welcoming ministers and delegates from 42 nations as well as United Nations representatives. “In less than three months, the UN Climate Change conference will…
It’s been nearly four decades since the vision for an Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) began, but – despite recognition by the African Union as one of its regional pillars – the organization has never achieved the cooperative stability of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or the…
There were troubling reports from Gabon early Monday – and concerns over a coup – as soldiers took over national radio to announce their disappointment with President Ali Bongo’s New Year’s Eve message to the nation, and their demands for a “restoration council.” There were unconfirmed reports from Gabon’s media…
President Ali Bongo of Gabon greeted the new year with a video message for his nation, sent while he continues medical treatment in Morocco. Bongo touched on economic policies enacted in 2018 before acknowledging that there has been much speculation about his health, and assuring citizens in his West African…
President Ali Bongo of Gabon is due to arrive in Morocco on Wednesday to continue his medical convalescence, according to information provided by the Gabonese first lady, Sylvia Bongo. He’ll travel to Rabat from King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh, where he has been treated for what is reported to be…
The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said Saturday that he is deeply concerned about instability in the West African nation of Gabon as its leader remains hospitalized. Faki, alongside AU President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, wished President Ali Bongo a full recovery in an announcement made…
After nearly three weeks, Gabonese government spokesman Ike Ngouoni admitted Sunday that President Ali Bongo was seriously ill but is now recovering in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Bongo has remained under care in Riyadh since an October 23 trip to attend the “Davos in the Desert” investment forum. The latest…
President Ali Bongo of Gabon remained hospitalized in Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to Al Jazeera news, but the reasons for his medical treatment are still unclear. Gabon traveled to Riyadh last week to participate in the Future Investment Initiative that began on October 23, the “Davos in the Desert”…
Gabon’s 2016 election returned President Ali Bongo to office for a seven-year term while also bringing violence to the streets of Libreville. It left questions over the legitimacy of Bongo’s defeat of opposition candidate Jean Ping, and bitter divisions that his efforts at national dialogue ahead of postponed parliamentary elections…
The West African nation of Gabon receives a dubious distinction in the new Freedom in the World 2018 report, released Tuesday by the Freedom House organization in the United States. The country led by President Ali Bongo saw the sharpest one-year decline of any in the world on measures of…
The political opposition in Gabon is speaking out against proposed constitutional revisions drafted by the government of President Ali Bongo, changes that follow the months of national dialogue meant to resolve the country’s political instability. Zacharie Myboto, president of the National Union party, issued a statement Saturday warning that the…
In Gabon, a Monday demonstration planned by opposition leader Jean Ping was moved to political coalition headquarters after security officials surrounded the initial site in Libreville. The afternoon rally went ahead as planned, with no immediate reports of clashes or unrest. The demonstration followed the government’s announcement on Sunday that…
As Gabon moves toward the end of an extended period of national dialogue initiated by President Ali Bongo, the nation’s sharp divisions remain – and so do questions about the outcome of the process. The dialogue is a response to the August 2016 political violence after the disputed outcome of…
Sierra Leone and China are strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties, as President Ernest Bai Koroma continues his visit to Beijing this week. The Xinhua news agency reports that Koroma, meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, engaged in talks Thursday that led to agreements on support for Sierra Leone’s public…
President Jacob Zuma announced Monday his plans to attend the funeral for former Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana, South African media reports. Zuma also has directed flags across South Africa to be flown at half staff beginning Tuesday as ceremonies honoring Castro’s life begin. The death of Castro, the 90-year-old…