Gabonese President Ali Bongo has returned to Gabon on Monday after a three-month medical leave during which a coup attempt was thwarted in the Central African nation. Gabon has been without effective government since October, when President Ali Bongo suffered a stroke while visiting Saudi Arabia. Bongo attempted to quell the rumors by appearing in a televised New Year message, in which he insisted he was feeling fine and recovering in Morocco. Gabon’s constitution states that ministers must take their vows before the president, and his return could make that obligation possible. As a reminder, Bongo, 59, is the son of Omar Bongo, who became head of state in 1967 and died in June 2009, leaving a legacy of corruption allegations.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 16, 2019 15:33 UTC