Gabon's President Ali Bongo, 64, who officers said on Wednesday was under house arrest after a coup, followed a well-trodden path in the region: born to a ruling dynasty, he promised a new start before facing accusations of graft and rigged elections.
His father rule from 1967, he took power in 2009Aug 30 - Gabon's President Ali Bongo, 64, who officers said on Wednesday was under house arrest after a, followed a well-trodden path in the region: born to a ruling dynasty, he promised a new start before facing accusations of graft and rigged elections.
Groomed for the presidency during Omar's 42-year rule, 'Bongo Junior' came to power after a contentious vote in 2009, vowing to modernise a country hooked on dwindling oil reserves and famed for its ultra-rich, champagne-guzzling elite. In 1978 he released "A Brand New Man", a nine-track solo funk album with a cover showing Bongo in a wide-collared white shirt open across his chest and gold rings on clenched fists.'CONSPICUOUS WEALTH'
He slashed the number of ministers in government and capped salaries for officials running state businesses.
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