Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has made a dramatic return to the political scene, releasing a video from his residence in London where he officially reasserts control over the ruling Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG).
Dressed in his capacity as the party’s “Distinguished Comrade President,” Bongo denounced Blaise Louémbé and his allies as “usurpers,” and declared their leadership, born out of the extraordinary congress on January 30, 2025, null and void.
In a document widely circulated on social media, Bongo announced the appointment of Ali Akbar Onanga Y’Obégué as the new Secretary General of the PDG.
The announcement was accompanied by a detailed explanation for his return, citing a betrayal by party leaders who had, according to him, sought external influence from the transitional presidency rather than fulfilling their mandate to restructure the party.
“Instead of respecting the instructions I gave them at my Sablière residence on March 7, 2024, while I was ‘under constraints,’ these comrades went to the transitional presidential palace,” Bongo wrote.
“This allowed for an unacceptable interference by the transitional president in our internal affairs, leading to a coup de force—my so-called removal and the installation of a provisional leadership with no statutory basis.”
Now claiming to have regained his “freedom of movement,” Bongo says he has taken the time necessary for reflection and consultation. “The time has come to speak clearly and firmly,” he stated.
“I have decided to appoint Comrade Ali Akbar Onanga Y’Obégué as Secretary General of the party… who, along with other comrades, has taken responsibility to restore legality and preserve the integrity of our party.”
Bongo formally annulled all resolutions from the January 30 congress, accusing the Louémbé-led leadership of dismantling party structures and pursuing personal agendas.
He directed the newly appointed Secretary General to update the party’s membership database, identifying loyal adherents.
While temporarily outside the country for medical reasons, Bongo has delegated certain operational powers to Onanga Y’Obégué as part of an ongoing restructuring effort.
He affirmed that the PDG remains committed to contesting future elections: “Our goal is twofold—to prepare for upcoming electoral challenges and to implement the renewal that all PDG militants have long desired.”
Bongo reiterated his retirement from national political ambitions, first announced in January 2024, while stressing that he never resigned from the party’s presidency.
“You can lead a political party without holding national office or harboring personal ambition,” he explained.
To former members who abandoned the PDG, Bongo said, “Let history judge their journey.” However, he left the door open for those willing to return sincerely. “To our militants, I say: stay mobilised, stay united, stay true to our values during this time.
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