Ministry Details
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President

El Hadj Omar Albert-Bernard Bongo (1967/1993/2005) PDG

The president is elected for a five year term by the people.

Omar Bongo is Africa's longest-serving head of state, having led Gabon since he succeeded the post-independence leader Leon Mba in 1967. He was re-elected for a further seven years in November 2005, winning nearly 80% of the votes. The opposition alleged fraud, but international observers said the poll was largely free and fair.

In 1968 Mr Bongo declared Gabon a one-party state, a status which it kept until 1991. Opposition parties have failed to pose a serious challenge to the president's Democratic Gabonese Party. Under changes to the constitution made in 2003 the president may run for office as many times as he wishes. Mr Bongo portrays himself as the custodian of Gabon's political stability and has been credited with encouraging foreign investment. His critics accuse him of having authoritarian tendencies.

Born in Franceville in 1935 as Albert-Bernard, Mr Bongo served in the French air force from 1958 until independence, when he returned to join the foreign ministry. In 1973 he converted to Islam, assuming the name of Omar.

The Gabonese president appoints the country's prime minister, who is answerable to the president. The president has the authority to dissolve parliament.

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Goverment Ministers

Click here for a complete list of government ministers.

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Parliament

The Parlement (Parliament) has two chambers. The Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) has 120 members, 111 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies and 9 members appionted by the president. The Sénat (Senate) has 91 members, elected for a six year term in single-seat constituencies by local and departemental councillors.

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Political Parties

- Gabonese Democratic Party (Parti Démocratique Gabonais)
- National Woodcutters Rally (Rassemblement National des Bûcherons)
- Gabonese Progress Party (Parti gabonais du progrès)
- Democratic and Republican Alliance (Alliance Démocratique et Républicaine)
- Circle of Reformist Liberals (Cercle des Libéraux Réformateurs)
- Social Democratic Party (Parti Social-Démocrate)
- National Woodcutters Rally-Kombila (Rassemblement National des Bûcherons -KOMBILA)
- African Development Movement (Mouvement Africain de Développement)
- Common Movement for Development (Mouvement Commun pour le Développement)
- Gabonese Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste Gabonais)
- Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development (Union Gabonaise pour la Démocratie et le Développement)
- Rally of Democrats (Rassemblement des Démocrates)
- Union of the Gabonese People (Union du Peuple Gabonais)

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