LIBREVILLE – French president Nicolas Sarkozy and a dozen heads of state from around Africa gathered in Gabon yesterday to mark the death of president Omar Bongo after more than four decades in power.
About 40 heads of state or their representatives paid their respects to Mr Bongo ahead of a military parade in honour of the veteran president, who was Africa’s longest-serving leader when he died in a Spanish clinic just over a week ago.
Mr Bongo’s body was due to be flown to Franceville, the main town in the southeastern province of Haut-Ogooué, where he was born, for burial tomorrow. “It is very emotional. It is a farewell ceremony so I am sad,” said Libreville resident Daniel Mba, as he waited for the parade in the oceanside capital’s Independence Square.
Former French president Jacques Chirac and French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner joined leaders filing up to Mr Bongo’s flag-draped coffin. Religious leaders led them in prayer.
French radio reported that Mr Chirac was cheered but Mr Sarkozy was booed by some in the crowd outside the presidential palace, highlighting the tight but complicated relationship Paris maintains with its former colonies.
Mr Bongo enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Chirac but relations with France thawed somewhat under Mr Sarkozy. Since Mr Sarkozy came to power, a French magistrate has been investigating the source of Mr Bongo’s wealth in France. “You leave a peaceful, free and fair Gabon,” Ali Ben Bongo, the late president’s son and defence minister, said in a eulogy.
Although Gabon’s oil wealth has largely failed to trickle down to benefit most Gabonese, the leader’s personality so dominated politics after he took power in 1967 that his death has left a void in the central African nation.
Senate leader Rose Francine Rogombé was sworn in as interim leader last Wednesday and the government has pledged to respect the constitution, under which fresh elections should be organised within 45 days.
But once the formal ceremonies and period of official mourning are out of the way, divisions within the ruling elite could emerge over who should succeed Mr Bongo, despite his son’s vows yesterday to keep the family united.
Analysts expect the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), of which Ms Rogombé is a member, to manage the transition tightly, with Ali Ben Bongo seen as a likely successor. He could, however, be challenged by his brother-in-law, foreign minister Paul Toungui.
African Union chairman Jean Ping, a long-time Bongo ally, and vice-president Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge have also been cited as possible successors.
Through Mr Bongo’s strong bonds with various presidents in Paris and a French military base in Libreville, Gabon has epitomised the relationship France maintained with its former colonies in a policy that became known as la Francafrique.
Despite criticism that this has involved propping up dictators and promises from Mr Sarkozy for a more honest relationship with the continent, analysts say France is likely to push for continuity and the protection of energy interests.
Civil society groups in Gabon have called for the electoral process – which they say favours Mr Bongo’s ruling elite – to be reviewed. – (Reuters)