Yearbook 2016

Gabon. According to countryaah, the current population of Gabon is 2,225,745. Presidential elections were held in August. The outcome was very smooth, and both President Ali Ben Bongo and his main challenger Jean Ping proclaimed victors. The government claimed that Bongo got 49.8% of the vote against 48.23% for Ping, the former African Union Commission chairman.

Gabon Population 2016

The victory margin corresponded to approximately 6,000 votes. The opposition refused to accept the result and demanded recalculation in a district where Bongo is alleged to have won 99.93% of the vote. EU observers also questioned that task. Violent protests erupted and demanded at least three deaths according to the government, while opposition sources spoke of 50 dead. Hundreds were arrested. UN chief Ban Ki Moon and neighboring leaders appealed for calm. In September, Bongo was sworn in for a new seven-year term since the Constitutional Court affirmed the election victory.

At the same time, the government demanded that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the violence. ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda decided to initiate a preliminary investigation to see if there was reason to proceed.

Bongo’s new “inclusive” government sworn in in October. The Prime Minister’s post went to former Foreign Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet. Some of the government’s 40 members belonged to the opposition, but none were taken from Ping’s party.

  • Abbreviation Finder: Check to see how the 3-letter abbreviation of GAB stands for the nation of Gabon in geography.

The oil cartel OPEC decided in June to re-join Gabon as a member. The country left the organization in 1995 after a dispute over membership fees.

The African Football Association (CAF) in November rumored that the African football championship would not be held in Gabon in January 2017. According to thereligionfaqs, the country hosted 2012 together with Equatorial Guinea.