African Politics Specialist Douglas Yates Invited to Comment on Ali Bongo's Reelection

On 24 September, Professor Yates was invited by France 24 television to speak about the recent post-electoral violence in Gabon, following the contested re-election of President Ali Bongo, who is the son of the former president Omar Bongo.

Yates explained how the Bongo family has ruled Gabon since 1967, transforming the former French colony into a veritable 'dynastic republic.'

Popular protests broke out after the recent August 27th elections, the results of which were contested by Bongo's main opponent Jean Ping, former head of the African Union.  The Bongo regime arrested hundreds of protestors, used the armed forces to impose a curfew, and shut down internet access to prevent an Arab Spring-style coordination of civil unrest.

Despite calls for a re-count by the European Union, the United States and the Afican Union, the Constitutional Court confirmed Bongo's victory.