Gabon’s Bongo will build towards 2023 re-election

Significance

Bongo now increasingly relies on his son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who is also the General Coordinator of Presidential Affairs (chief of staff), to represent him in important domestic affairs. Bongo has taken various strategic decisions over the past year that are likely to ensure his re-election.

Impacts

• Nourredin Valentin Bongo is increasingly emerging as his father’s heir apparent, which the opposition will struggle to prevent.
• An OPEC commitment to limit oil production to 144,000 barrels per day could leave a hole in the 2021 budget, which assumes higher output.
• 2016 poll runner-up Jean Ping will struggle to gain support for a new presidential bid amid opposition fractures.