Ali Bongo Ondimba (9 February 1959-) was President of Gabon from 16 October 2009 to 30 August 2023, succeeding Rose Francine Rogombe and preceding Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Ondimba was the son of Omar Bongo, dictator from 1967 to 2009, and he took over the country after his father's death; he was overthrown in the 2023 Gabonese coup d'etat.
Biography[]
Alain Bernard Bongo was born in Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa (now in the Republic of the Congo) on 9 February 1959, the son of Omar Bongo. Alain changed his name to "Ali Bongo Ondimba" after his family converted to Islam in 1973, and he was groomed as his father's heir. Bongo was elected to the political bureau of the conservative Gabonese Democratic Party in 1986, and he was elected to the National Assembly in 1990. In 1999, he became Minister of National Defense, and he became Vice-President of the Democratic Party in 2008. When his father died in 2009, he was elected president, succeeding acting president Rose Francine Rogombe. Bongo was also accused of dictatorial rule by opponents, following in his father's footsteps. Ondimba was a close ally of France and stated on 17 August 2023 his intent to not allow Gabon to be destabilized amid a wave of coups in Africa. On 30 August 2023, the Gabonese military overthrew Ondimba amid widespread protests against his re-election in that year's presidential election, and he responded by calling for supporters to "make a noise" over his detention.