- 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.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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