Ali Bongo

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ali Bongo

Role / Field:

Gabonese politician who served as President from 2009 until his 2023 coup.

Born:

1959-02-09

Century / Era:

1959s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Ali Bongo Ondimba (born Alain-Bernard Bongo; 9 February 1959) is a Gabonese former politician and dictator who was the third president of Gabon from 2009 until he was deposed in a coup in 2023. A member of the Gabonese Democratic Party, Bongo is the son of Omar Bongo, who was president from 1967 until his death in 2009. During his father's presidency, Bongo was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991, represented Bongoville as a deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999, and was the Minister of National Defense from 1999 to 2009. After his father's death, Bongo was elected president in the 2009 presidential election, marking the first political dynasty in the country.

Key Developments & Impact

He was reelected in 2016, with elections being marred by numerous irregularities, arrests, human rights violations and post-election protests and violence. On 30 August 2023, following the results of the general election, the military, led by Bongo's cousin Brice Oligui Nguema, ousted him from the presidency in a coup d'état due to lack of transparency in the election process and established a junta called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions. He was briefly detained, then released...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1959 (1959-02-09): Birth of Ali Bongo — Gabonese politician who served as President from 2009 until his 2023 coup.
2. 1967: 1967 Milestone — A member of the Gabonese Democratic Party, Bongo is the son of Omar Bongo, who was president from 1967 until his death in 2009.
3. 1989: 1989 Milestone — During his father's presidency, Bongo was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991, represented Bongoville as a deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999, and was the Minister of National Defense from 1999 to 2009.
4. 2009: 2009 Milestone — After his father's death, Bongo was elected president in the 2009 presidential election, marking the first political dynasty in the country.
5. 2016: 2016 Milestone — He was reelected in 2016, with elections being marred by numerous irregularities, arrests, human rights violations and post-election protests and violence.
6. 2023: 2023 Milestone — On 30 August 2023, following the results of the general election, the military, led by Bongo's cousin Brice Oligui Nguema, ousted him from the presidency in a coup d'état due to lack of transparency in the election process and established a junta called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ali Bongo

True or False: “Did Ali Bongo's initial election in 2009 establish a political dynasty in Gabon?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, his election marked the beginning of a political dynasty, as he was the son of the previous president, Omar Bongo.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Flexner — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist, celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
• Albert Namatjira — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Arrernte painter, famous for Western-influenced watercolour depictions of the Australian outback.
• Adolf Galland — Shared historical date (02-09 · Died) (1996): German Luftwaffe general and celebrated flying ace of World War II.
• Adolph Menzel — Shared historical date (02-09 · Died) (1905): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Alfonso López Pumarejo — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): Colombian politician and economist, known for progressive reforms and serving two non-consecutive presidential terms.
• Allison Janney — Historical peer (Born in 1959) (1959): Acclaimed American actress known for roles in The West Wing and Masters of Sex.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Al Martino — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
• February 9 (02-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 9

Frequently Asked Questions about Ali Bongo