Bongo's son calls for Gabon calm

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009
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Page last updated at 00:20 GMT, Tuesday, 9 June 2009 01:20 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version

by Tokun Lawal for biodun-iginla@bbcnews.com The government confirmed Omar BongoOmar Bongo's death on Monday The son of the late Gabonese President Omar Bongo has appealed for calm following his father's death. Defence Minister Ali-Ben Bongo, who made the comments in a televised address, is seen as a top candidate to succeed his father.
Earlier, the defence ministry said it was closing Gabon's borders and that it was deploying security forces across the country.
Omar Bongo was Africa's longest serving leader when he died at 73.
His death was confirmed by Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong in a written statement.
There had been conflicting reports earlier on Monday about whether Mr Bongo, who had led Gabon since 1967, had died in a Spanish clinic.
Under the constitution, the leader of the Senate, Rose Francine Rogombe, an ally of Mr Bongo, should take over as interim leader and organise elections within 45 days.
Mourning period

In these difficult circumstances, love of one's homeland should give one pause and constitute a sacred duty for all children of Gabon
Ali-Ben Bongo
Defence minister Obituary: Omar Bongo The murky world of Omar Bongo Should Gabon mourn Bongo? But opposition leaders have claimed that Ali-Ben Bongo has been lined up to take over, and question whether any election would be free and fair.
In his address, the late leader's son said he was speaking as a member of the family, not a minister.
"I call for calm and quiet contemplation in order to preserve the unity and the peace which was so dear to our late father," he said.
"In these difficult circumstances, love of one's homeland should give one pause and constitute a sacred duty for all children of Gabon."
The defence ministry said in a televised statement that "all components of the defence forces were put in place across the territory", and that sensitive buildings were being secured.
Earlier, Mr Ndong said Mr Bongo had died of a heart attack shortly before 1230 GMT.
He said Gabon would observe 30 days of mourning, and called on the Gabonese people to "stand together in contemplation and dignity".
The internet has been cut off since Sunday, while state television is playing religious music.
French President Nicolas SarkozyFrench President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his sadness over the death of Mr Bongo. He said France was "standing by the people of Gabon and its institutions, at this difficult time".
Embezzlement investigation
Gabon under Mr Bongo has maintained close economic and political ties to France, the former colonial power.
Mr Bongo became vice-president, and then president, of Gabon in 1967.
He stopped work in May, and entered a clinic in Barcelona. Government officials insisted it was for a check-up, but other reports said he had cancer.
Mr Bongo faced a French inquiry into corruption allegations.
Oil earnings mean that Gabon is officially one of Africa's richest states but analysts say that the political elite have kept most of the money for themselves. Most of the country's 1.4 million people live in poverty.
Mr Bongo was one of three African leaders being investigated for alleged embezzlement by a French judge. The others are Denis Sassou-NguessoDenis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
It is alleged that the properties owned by Mr Bongo's family in France could not have been purchased with official salaries alone.
Mr Bongo denied any wrongdoing.


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