Bongo: Gabon to pay respects
2009-06-16 07:32
Libreville - Gabon was set to pay its final respects on Tuesday to Omar Bongo Ondimba, with a state funeral for the former president who ruled the oil-rich equatorial African country for 41 years.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was set to join more than a dozen heads of African states to pay their respects to Bongo, who died last week aged 73 at a private clinic in Spain.
The presidents of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sao Tome and Togo have all confirmed attendance.
Foreign dignitaries were to pass in front of Bongo's coffin at the presidential palace, where it has lain in state since last Thursday, beginning at 09:00 (08:00 GMT).
An ecumenical service was to follow at 10:00, with eulogies by Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong, National Assembly Speaker Guy Nzouba and Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe.
It has not been confirmed who will speak on behalf of Bongo's family, but it was considered likely his 50-year-old son Ali Ben Bongo, Gabon's defence minister and a favourite to succeed him, will address the funeral.
Following the funeral the coffin was to be moved outside for a two-hour military procession.
The coffin will then head to the city Franceville, capital of Bongo's native southeastern Haut-Ogouue region, where he will be buried on Thursday.
Bongo came to power in 1967 with French support and ruled over a state that grew rich on abundant oil, while most of the 1.5 million population remained poor.
In his last months, Bongo's relations with Paris were marred by a French probe into his luxury residences in France and a court order to freeze his bank accounts, amid allegations of embezzlement.
His demise raised fears of a power vacuum and initial reports of his death prompted Libreville residents to stock up on fuel, but the government has moved fast to avoid a power vacuum during 30 days of official mourning.
Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe has asked the government to come up with a schedule for presidential elections, which according to the constitution must take place within 45 days of the appointment of an interim president.
Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong is expected to officially resign on Thursday following Bongo's burial, government sources have said, following a constitution court ruling that the appointment of an interim president removed his mandate.