The civil war in Africa. This simple four-word phrase seems to sum up the perception of outsiders, most of the world when asked about the state of affairs on the African continent, the birthplace of humanity. Over the past 40 years a score of countries, or nearly 50 percent of all nations south of the Sahara, have experienced at least one period of civil war. This state of affairs has stereotyped for Africa as a continent full of ethnic and tribal conflicts.
Although many attribute the origin of these various ethnic and tribal conflicts, researchers at the World Bank concluded, after careful study, that the failure both politically and economically are the main cause of most civil conflicts. Ibrahim and Nicholas Sambanis Elbadaur wrote that the political and economic development can effectively reduce or eliminate the political violence in Africa.
Enter Gabon, which seems to be the eye of this storm tumultuous Africa. Gabon is one of the few countries in Central Africa that has never - since its independence from France - were affected by armed conflict. Gabon, an oil-rich central African nation with a population of 1,300,000 and a geographical area of 26.7 thousand square kilometers, is considered one of the most stable in the region.
For nearly 40 years, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba has served as chairman of the coastal West African country of Gabon. Under his leadership, Gabon has become one of the richest and most prosperous countries in Africa fueled in part by the discovery of oil. According to the World Fact Book, Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Critics attributed much of the success of Bongo his arm strength of the political system and its use of patronage throughout his own political party. It 'hard to argue with his success but to maintain Gabon outside an armed conflict with rival factions within the country.
Bongo has risen rapidly in the direction of the structure of Gabon. He entered the civil service in 1958, was promoted to Minister of Information and Tourism in 1966 and was appointed Vice-President in 1967. He assumed the office of President, a year later, at the age of 32 after Leon M'ba, the first president of the country, fell ill and died suddenly.
Despite the difficulties in the headlines around the world in regard to neighboring Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Zaire, Gabon has been a rock of stability. Although the country was initially formed around a system of a part in the early 60s, Bongo urged the country to a multiparty democracy since 1990. Although it would serve to maintain the single party system, opposition parties were legalized Bongo in Gabon and that time has been a model for the rest of Africa ever since. Many have attributed the success story of unprecedented Gabon peace, stability and economic status of Bongo experience and leadership.
In the next elections in 2005, there has been some controversy about the nature of the electoral process itself. The opposition, led by a former ally of President Bongo, Zacharie Myboto, was critical of the process of two days of the election. He stressed that the army will first vote, alluding to the fact that this could somehow affect the general electorate. However, the mere fact that the opposition can speak out against Bongo, without fears of reprisals, is a testament to democracy in grass which is being formed in Gabon, under the political leadership, President Bongo. Bongo is quick to remind his detractors of having taken the United States for over two centuries to develop a legitimate electoral process. He also points out that many Americans still have concerns about the fairness of elections in both state and national levels.
President Bongo has not only concentrated all its efforts on political change. E 'was also the first new true of women's rights in her country. Thanks to the actions of the President of Gabon true social reform occurred focused on equal opportunities for women. Bongo institutionalized respect for women's rights and equality. He established the school of all girls age 6 to 16 years. It has created a Ministry for the Family, child protection and the promotion of women and the protection of widows and orphans. "Where men have failed women need to succeed," Bongo said on many occasions.
The President of Gabon has been credited for his efforts to restore peace and stability throughout Central Africa, particularly the Republic of Congo Tomo, Chad, Central African Republic and Sao and Principe. In October 2001, former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who acts as mediator in Burundi's ethnic and political crisis, Bongo has entrusted the mission to continue negotiations with the armed movements in Burundi. Mandela has great respect and appreciation for President Bongo Bongo was one of the few who supported him financially during his exile.
Recently Bongo, co-chaired the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, alongside the Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, which was held in September 2005. Bongo opened the event with a call for global action to prevent conflict and genocide. Bongo also focused his efforts on the plight of Africa, looking for more support for the promotion of human rights and conflict resolution. The President of Gabon 38 years, echoed the sentiment of Sweden's prime minister, calling the summit "to act together to give our future generations a better world."
The leader of Gabon has always had a strong interest in the welfare of those of African decent who now reside in the United States. Bongo, although a practicing Muslim, has requested the assistance of Rodney Sampson Intellect Group CEO and founder of the World Christian Times, to develop a presence in the United States, with which the President of Gabon could implement a change in the lives of many Americans. The Living Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta and led by Bongo, has been launched for the training of young leaders and to raise one million in the United States, Africa and around the world.
The announcement of the organization has received broad support from a number of world leaders in politics, faith and business, including Bishop Mike Jocktane of France and Gabon, and Bishop Carlton Pearson of the United States. "After I was approached by President Bongo's Senior Advisor Bishop Mike Jocktane on representing and advising the President in North America and Gabon, my company conducted extensive due diligence on both Bongo President and his country." Says Sampson . "In simple terms, Bongo gets things done and facilitates real change. This world leader not just talk a good game, which offers - local and abroad. This is refreshing when it comes to a head of state" .
Living Legacy will target the pop and hip hop culture in the United States. "We achieve our goals and objectives through a series of high profile international events," Train the Trainer "training techniques, the strategic partnership and organizational awareness," said Rodney Sampson. "Our first big event, Leadership 2006, will be held next year in Atlanta."
In direct conflict with the political opposition to President Bongo portrays him in the upcoming elections, Bongo the inaugural event for the Living Legacy Foundation, LEADERSHIP 2006 is a great event is highly progressive leadership that brings together the world's leading players in the business world , politics, religion and government of all faiths, beliefs and disciplines. Some dignitaries, celebrities and other prominent figures who were invited to participate include: former South African president Nelson Mandela, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Rev. Jessie Jackson, The Honourable Minister Lewis Farrakhan, Rick Warren, John Maxwell, l ' Actor Chris Tucker, Bono and Kanye West. This divergent group will converge in Atlanta to exchange, contribute and plan the implementation of a real activity for the cultivation of leadership of tomorrow.
Despite criticism from his opponents, it seems that the growing legacy of President Bongo's is a "permanent change for the better." It is not always the strongest in the group gets larger. Sometimes the person who has been around the longest is the one who can get results in the real world. That about sums up the leaders of Gabon and the island of tranquility, Omar Bongo.
Bruce Prokopets
Executive Editor
Press Direct International
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