Information AboutOmar Bongo |
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| presidents of gabon | |
| bongo, omar | |
| current national leaders | |
| converts to islam | |
| muslim politicians | |
| 1935 births | |
| living people | |
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EL HADJ OMAR BONGO ONDIMBA History Youngest child of a big family of farmers, Omar Bongo, president of Gabon was born the 30th December 1935 in Lewaî, town of the province of “Haut-ogooé”, in the South-East of Gabon. He did his primaries and secondary studies at Brazzaville (Congo) which was in this time the capital of AEF (Afrique equatoriale française). After his secondary studies, he worked in a post office until he entered the military formation. Following this formation, he became under lieutenant and then lieutenant of the air force successively in Brazza,Bangui and Fort Lamy (called now N’djamena). He came back to his native country, and served in the French army. During his service he was remarkable by his talent, and was put in the secret service of the French army. Step by step, under the protection of French, he became famous in the big administrations of the country His first step in politic After the independence of Gabon in 1960, it was near M. Leon Mba , the first president of the Gabonese republic that the young Albert Bernard Bongo started his politic career. Step by step, he climbed levels in Leon Mba’s administration. He started first in the department of foreign affairs and in 1961, he entered in the cabinet of the head of the state. From this time, he became the man of trust of the president. Indeed, Leon Mba really appreciated his capacity of work, his dynamism and his audacity. That’s why in 1965, Omar Bongo became minister of information and tourism and in 1966, he was appointed vice-president of the republic a year after, Leon Mba sick, died and Omar Bongo became by the same occasion President of the Gabonese Republic according to the Gabonese constitution. He was the youngest president in the world (just 32 years old), the 28th September 1967. His close relationship with France and the ex president, puts him with soundness in power. Private Life As every normal human being, Omar Bongo has his private life. But as a president, his familial and private life knew many new developments. Before his entry in the politic area, Bongo was married with Josephine Kama . When he reached the presidency, she became the first lady of the Gabonese republic. Josephine Kama was born the 22nd January 1945 at Brazzaville (Congo), she did a catholic school and attended secretarial studies. She was very liberal, and very attracted by music. She always dreamed to be a famous singer. Her attraction for music was against the protocol as a first lady. That’s why she divorced with the president in 1986. She started a new professional career as a singer; she changed her name by Patience Dabany and became famous in the world. She still maintains good and friendly relationship with the president. Following this divorce, Bongo knew many pressures by the press. He was obliged to find an other wife. Then, he married Edith Lucie Nguesso , the eldest daughter of the President Sassou Nguesso Of Congo . She became, the new first lady of the country. Contrary to Josephine Kama, she respects more the protocol. She was born the 10th march 1964, at Brazzaville; she is a holder of the aggregation of doctor. She is a woman of action, she builds the biggest hospital of the region and has many organisations and structures in the whole country. Omar Bongo has children from his first and second marriage. He is a good and exemplary father, who loves his children. He is always available for them and he has a big respect for the family tradition. Jeuneafrique (2005). Omar Bongo. Retrieved March11, 2006 from http://www.jeune afrique.com/pays/gabon/gabarit_art_afp.asp?art_cle=AFP818455 His men of trust Like all presidents, Bongo has his men of trust. Native of a minority group ethnic, Bongo associates all the communities in the share of power in order to avoid confusion and civil war. But the key posts of his administration are reserved for his peers. First, the director of his cabinet is his elder daughter Pascaline Bongo Ondimba , the minister of the defence is his first son, Ali Bongo Ondimba . The minister of finance is his son-in-law, Paul Toungui …. And some others of his close friends in the key posts of his administration in order to avoid all forms of betrayals. He is well encircled. One of the secret of his durability. There are two main facts which marked the private life of the president Bongo. First fact, in 1973, he changed his religion, his name and became Muslim. Then, Albert Bernard bongo became El hadj Omar Bongo. Secondly, in 2003-2004, He took the real name of his father. El Hadj Omar Bongo became El Hadj Omar bongo Ondimba. This name was granted to all members of his family. Jeuneafrique (2005). Omar Bongo. Retrieved March11, 2006 from http://www.jeune afrique.com/pays/gabon/gabarit_art_afp.asp?art_cle=AFP818455 OMAR BONGO’S ACTIONS Union As a president in an under developed country; his first goal is the development of the country. According to him, there is three main steps that we should follow in order to reach this development. First, the “Union”. mondediplomatique (2006). Bongo et Gabon. Retrieved March 11, 2006 from hhtp://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/1997/02/ODZAMBOGA/7760 Regional Solidarity within Central Africa Even in central Africa, he did many things to instaure peace and harmony Bongo’s struggle is to claim Union among people in order to reduce the conflicts in the region. mondediplomatique (2006). Bongo et Gabon. Retrieved March 11, 2006 from hhtp://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/1997/02/ODZAMBOGA/7760 Project Since 1967, Omar Bongo is the president of Gabon. Like we told earlier one of his main characteristic and way of doing politic is based on the union of his people. Indeed, he succeeds to link people with many different cultures and behaviours together. In fact, Gabon (despite its little population) has lot of different ethnic group. Bongo knew how to manage these people to live together in the same land without any civil war. Thanks to his concept of Union. As a president in an under developed country; his first goal is the development of the country. According to him, there is three main steps that we should follow in order to reach this development. First, the “Union”. One of the main projects of Bongo was the “Transgabonais”. It is a railroad which is supposed to link all the cities of the country and some states of central Africa. It was one of his difficult and costly project. His dream was to see all the people united. Secondly, building of many facilities, especially in the sector of education and health. For him, these two sectors should be free in Gabon because it is a source of development. In Gabon, thanks to Omar Bongo, schools and hospitals are free. Transportations for students and drugs for old people are also free. There is many scholarships and facilities for young people. All this privileges are under the bank account of Bongo. In last, the main source of development is the “peace”. Gabon under Bongo’s power had never known the war. For him, you can’t do anything without peace and union. It is the basis of the development, and the step number one. mondediplomatique (2006). Bongo et Gabon. Retrieved March 11, 2006 from hhtp://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/1997/02/ODZAMBOGA/7760 BONGO IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE The notority of Bongo in Afria =Bongo and the “CEMAC” in Central Africa President since 1967, Bongo becomes the doyen in Africa after the death of Gnassingbe Eyadema (president of Togo). Because of his actions, his power and his experience, bongo is respected in Africa. He is the principal character who intervenes for the stability in central Africa. His mediation between the different protagonists and his influence reduce the extent of the conflict. Indeed, Bongo spent lot of money, energy and time organising meeting, congress in order to stop the crisis in the region. The good sense of his advices are well listened Flashgabon (2006). Omar Bongo, le doyen de l’Afrique. Retrieved March 13, 2006 from http://www.flasgabon.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1697 =Omar Bongo Ondimba: The doyen in Africa In Africa also, Bongo is respected. From the king of Morocco Mohamed VI to the president of South Africa Tabo Mbeki , Bongo is well known. The president is always solicited for solving conflict. He knows the continent more than anyone. He intervened in many crises within the continent (Ivory Coast, Togo, Congo, Sudan, Darfour….). Every president needs his advices. He is called the “wise man» of politic in Africa. As soon as you speak about Gabon, you see Bongo and as soon as you speak about presidents in Africa you cannot forget Omar Bongo Ondimba; whatever is good or wrong. That sent us to conclude that the image of Bongo is unavoidable in Africa.Flashgabon (2006). Omar Bongo, le doyen de l’Afrique. Retrieved March 13, 2006 from http://www.flasgabon.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1697 Bongo in Europe and in the rest of the world =His close relation with France In addition, beyond Africa, Omar Bongo has good relationship. Especially with France. Bongo knows that his place is due to the support of France. Since the army Bongo maintained good relationship with France. France is the first economic and social partner of Gabon. Bongo is closely friend with Jacques Chirac , the president of France. Being a colony of France, Gabon knows many resemblances in way of doing with France. That’s why 650 French soldiers are permanently took up a position near the presidency at Libreville, and more than 10 000 French residents live in Gabon. France and Gabon are partner for life with Omar Bongo. =Bongo with the rest of the world Nevertheless, Bongo tends to diversify his contacts. New close relation have started with some countries of Asia especially China. Bongo signed many contracts with China especially in the domain of building facilities and fishing. Bongo frequently received some personalities like Hun Ji Tao (President of China), Georges W. Bush (President of the U.S) and some personalities of the World Bank… CONCLUSION He introduced democracy in his country (Gabon) and has been elected again to conduct the country for seven years. Omar Bongo is a very important personality and an example to follow in Africa due to his longevity in his country; all these qualifications contribute to the Reasons why, he merits much attention from people and particularly from young generation who are the future of this country (Gabon) WORKS CITED |
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