Gabon’s President gives entire inheritance to charity

Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has pledged to give his share of the inheritance from his father to charity and said his family was also handing over properties including a villa in the capital and two homes in Paris to the state.

Reuters reports that Bongo has led the central African oil producer since winning a 2009 election that followed the death of his father, longtime President Omar Bongo.

Ali Bongo made the announcement in a speech broadcast on state-owned television late on Monday to mark the 55th anniversary of independence from France. He said the decision was in honour of his father.

“All the revenues from my share of the inheritance will go to a foundation for youth and education because everyone knows – and I say it again – that the youth were sacred in the eyes of President Omar Bongo Ondimba,” he said.

The Bongo family’s wealth is believed to include millions of dollars held in foreign bank accounts, real estate and stakes in Gabon’s main industries.

 Gabon’s oil wealth has put its per capita gross domestic product among the highest in Africa and the World Bank ranks it as an upper middle-income country. However, wealth is unevenly distributed and many Gabonese live in poverty.