Gabon: Former national assembly speaker joins race to battle Ali Bongo

Guy Nzouba, the outgoing president of Gabon national assembly, has confirmed his participation in the 2016 presidential election.

Speaking at a rally attended by hundreds of his supporters in the capital Libreville, Ndama said he would run as an independent candidate as he distance himself from Gabonese Democratic Party.

“In making this decision, I want to be a hero, a saviour and I also want to be myself,” said Nzouba.

Nzouba Ndama resigned from his post last week along with nine MPs, part of a growing rebel faction seeking to prevent incumbent president Ali Bongo from gaining re-election.

Former African Union Commission chief Jean Ping and former Gabon Prime Minister Raymond Sima have also announced their intention to run.

The election is slated for August 2016.

AFP