President leon mba president video song

Opponents criticized him for being too pro-French, too conservative, and too powerful. He also created a presidential guard headed by a French former secret agent to protect him from future attacks. The presidential palace was heavily guarded. He left a wife, Pauline, and eleven children. Do you find this information helpful? A small donation would help us keep this available to all.

Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. Constitutional reforms proposed in the Paris Accords were approved by 97 percent of voters in a referendum held on July 23, Twelve individuals were killed during the crisis. The National Assembly approved constitutional amendments on April 18, President Omar Bongo was re-elected with some 67 percent of the vote on December 6, The Foundation for Democracy in Africa FDA sent seven observers to monitor the presidential election beginning on December 4, , and the FDA issued a report on the presidential election on February 5, Opposition political parties accused the government of election fraud.

Several opposition political parties boycotted the legislative elections. President Omar Bongo was re-elected with 79 percent of the vote on November 27, , and he was inaugurated as president on January 19, Opposition political parties claimed election fraud. The OIF sent observers to monitor the presidential election. President Omar Bongo died on 8 June Violent demonstrations occurred in Libreville on August 7, The African Union AU sent 35 short-term observers to monitor the presidential election.

Crisis Phase September 3, present : Following an announcement of presidential election results on September 3, , government security forces clashed with protesters in in Libreville, Nkembo, and Port Gentil. The government claimed that three individuals were killed in Port Gentil, although the opposition alleged that 60 individuals were killed in Port Gentil.

The Constitutional Court confirmed the results of the presidential election on September 4, , but ordered a recount beginning on September 29, Ali Bongo Odimba was inaugurated as president on October 16, After voting in favor of the Franco-African Community , similar to the British Commonwealth , in the constitutional referendum of 28 September , [ 43 ] Gabon became pseudo-politically independent.

Again, Foccart, as a loyal Frenchman, refused. It was also supported by former UDSG members, "radical" students, and trade unionists. He filed an arrest warrant for Sousatte for conspiring against him and searched the houses of UDSG members, who he accused of complicity. Intimidated, three deputies of the UDSG joined the majority. On 19 June , legislative elections were organised through the scrutin de liste voting system, a form of bloc voting in which each party offers a list of candidates who the population vote for; the list that obtains a majority of votes is declared the winner and obtains all the contested seats.

However, the Prime Minister realistically declared on 12 August, "We must not waste our chances by imagining that with independence, we now own a powerful fetish that will fulfill our wishes. In believing that with independence everything becomes easy and possible, there is a danger of descending into anarchy, disorder, poverty, famine.

M'ba aspired to establish a democratic regime, which, in his view, was necessary for the development and attraction of investments in Gabon. He attempted to reconcile the imperatives of democracy and the necessity for a strong and coherent government.

President leon mba president video song

A cult of personality developed steadily around M'ba; songs were sung in his praise and stamps and loincloths were printed with his effigy. In November , a crisis broke out within the majority party. After deciding to reshuffle the cabinet without consulting Parliament, the president of the National Assembly, Paul Gondjout, a previous ally of M'ba's, filed a motion of censure.

On 16 November, under the pretext of a conspiracy, he declared a state of emergency , ordering the internment of eight BDG opponents and the dissolution of the National Assembly the day after. Sousatte, who also opposed the constitution, was also sentenced to the same amount of jail time. On 21 February , a new constitution was unanimously adopted, [ 62 ] providing for a "hyperpresidential" regime.

This was, in fact, very similar to the constitution adopted in favor of Fulbert Youlou at roughly the same time. He regarded himself as a truly democratic leader; nothing irritated him more than being called a dictator. Still, he wasn't happy until he had the constitution rewritten to give him virtually all power and transforming the parliament into high-priced scenery that could be bypassed as needed.

The new constitution and the National Union a political union they founded suspended the quarrels between M'ba and Aubame from to Despite this, political unrest grew within the population, [ 67 ] and many students held demonstrations on the frequent dissolutions of the National Assembly and the general political attitude in the country.

On 9 February , the President pardoned those arrested during the political crisis of November Aubame resolved the problem by resigning from his post on the Supreme Court, complicating matters for M'ba. The electoral conditions were announced as such: The election 67 districts were reduced to M'ba disqualified Aubame by announcing anyone who held a post recently was banned.

M'ba's idea was that no party other than his would have the money to enter candidates. M'ba was instructed to broadcast a speech acknowledging his defeat. During these events, no gunshots were fired. The people did not react strongly, which according to the military, was a sign of approval. The small Gabonese army did not intervene in the coup; composed mostly of French officers, they remained in their barracks.

However, due to heavy rain, the deposed president and his captors took shelter in an unknown village. Several hours later, they returned to Libreville. But in Paris, de Gaulle decided otherwise. After he was reinstated into power, M'ba refused to consider the coup was directed against him and his regime. Despite these events, legislative elections, which were planned before the coup, were held in April The major opposition parties were deprived of their leaders, who were prevented from participating in the elections due to their involvement in the coup.

His French friends constantly surrounded him, protecting or providing him with counsel. A presidential guard was created by Bob Maloubier , a former French secret agent, and co-financed by French oil groups. However, the Gabonese president was afraid of internal strife or assassination, so he remained secluded inside his heavily defended presidential palace.

French ambassador Cousseran and American ambassador Charles F. Darlington, suspected of sympathizing with Aubame, left shortly after the coup. Foccart recounted the events in his memoirs, Foccart Speaks :. Do you realise, exploded the Gabonese President, I'm receiving de Quirielle to summarize the situation with him. I'm asking him his thoughts about this or that [Gabonese] minister, about this or that in the agenda [in Gabon's political interior].

And guess what his answer was? Mister President, I'm really sorry, but the duties I hold forbid me from intervening in the affairs of your country.