Gabon: Court throws out opposition case against Bongo candidature

Gabon’s Constitutional Court has rejected appeals filed by opposition candidates against President Ali Bongo, accusing him of falsifying his birth, and that he was not born Gabonese. Gabon’s National Electoral Commission has already validated his bid for presidency in the August 27 polls.

The anti-Bongo appeals were led by Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou, Jean Ping and Guy Nzouba-Ndama, who said Bongo was born in Nigeria before being adopted by former President Omar Bongo. They said that Bongo’s bid contravenes Article 10 of the Gabonese Constitution which states that to be president of Gabon, one must be born Gabonese.

The case which was presided over by nine judges was dismissed, as it was considered inadmissible because Ali Bongo birth certificate was not on file. Moreover, the Court declined jurisdiction to assess the authenticity of an act of civic status.

However, the president of the National Union opposition party Zacharie Myboto said that they could not provide the birth certificate since the Electoral Commission denied them access to Ali Bongo’s application.

He has called on the opposition to come together to discuss the next course of possible action..