afrol News, 24 October - Having served for 40 years in statehouse does not satisfy the President of Gabon, Omar Bongo, who is undoubtedly the longest serving African leader. He wants to run the state of affairs of his country until his last breathe. President Bongo declared his intention to run for re-election - in 2012.

President Bongo, who came to power in 1967, has already changed his country's constitution to remove term limits to presidency.

The 70-year-old leader won re-election in November last year. Mr Bongo swept the polls with 79 percent of the votes, which placed him comfortably ahead of his four challengers.

He rubbished media reports that he was in the process of passing the leadership mantle to one of his ministers to succeed him to the throne.

"There is no heir apparent. Who says that the succession is up for grabs? I will be a candidate in 2012 if God gives me strength," he told 'Radio France International' (RFI).

President Bongo as well denied local press reports that three of his cabinet members had plotted to sell the disputed oil-rich island Mbiané to neighbouring Equatorial Guinea.

"Let them bring me proof. That is what I want. Can you imagine a minister signing a document to sell part of the national territory? Even I cannot do that." Such an act, according to Gabonese law, would also have been unconstitutional.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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