The President of Gabon Ali Bongo has spoken to Gabonese for the first time since suffering stroke last October.
He addressed citizens in a New Year video recorded message on Monday from Morocco. The message was distributed via social media and local media channels.
The ailing Ali Bongo is continuing with his medical treatment in Morocco since leaving Saudi Arabia in October last year after falling sick while attending an economic forum.
Ali Bongo said “It is true that I have been through a difficult period, as sometimes happens in life.”
He was seen seated at a table without his lower body being shown.
“Today, as you can see, I am better and I am preparing to meet you again soon,” Bongo further said in the video.
Adresse à la Nation du Président de la République gabonaise, chef de l’Etat, S.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba, à l’occasion du nouvel an 2019. #DiscoursÀlaNation pic.twitter.com/TIkuap4pUJ
— Présidence de la République Gabonaise (@PresidenceGabon) December 31, 2018
Bongo absence creates crisis
With Ali Bongo’s absence due to illness the Gabon constitutional court moved to end a governance crisis.
The Constitutional Court said it had to modify the constitution to address the scenario of “temporary incapacity” by the head of state.
The constitution, before the amendment by the court, says only the president can authorise the vice president to organise a cabinet meeting.
The court says it had to modify that to insert the text that said “In the event of the temporary unavailability of the president… certain functions… may be carried out either by the vice president or the prime minister accordingly, on special authorisation of the Constitutional Court.”
There have been sharp criticisms from opposition political parties though to this move.
Bongo to stay on
Bongo became President in 2009 taking over from his father Omar Bongo. His father had been president for more than 40 years.
This year a new constitution was adopted in Gabon scrapping the country’s presidential term limit of two seven-year term.
The new constitution received overwhelming votes from members of Gabon’s national assembly. This means Gabon’s President Ali Bongo could remain in power without any limit.
Source: Africafeeds.com