In order to achieve this goal, from 1968 to 12, a nationwide "national movement" was launched to mobilize all the people to fight against underdevelopment. Under the slogan of "Gabon first", we should actively "talk" and "appeal" and coordinate and unite with the opposition to get rid of "tribal quarrels" In the "democratic revolution" movement, we attach importance to playing the vanguard role of youth. A group of knowledgeable young people were selected from various tribes to participate in politics, and some famous senior intellectuals were also used to enter the parliament. 1980, when the new government was formed, a group of young people in their prime were recruited into the cabinet.
Theoretically, Gabon's presidential election is divided into two rounds; In fact, Gabon has only held one round of presidential elections so far, because Bongo won more than half of the votes in the first round. In the presidential election before 1986, even Bongo was the only candidate, so this election was largely a formality. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the stormy waves of political democratization also swept Gabon. 1at the beginning of 990, a demonstration took place in Libreville, Gabon, to protest against social injustice and vent their dissatisfaction with the current government. Forcing the Gabonese government to consider major political changes.
1On February 23, 990, President Bongo delivered a national televised speech, announcing the implementation of a multi-party system. 1in March, 1990, a national political consultative conference attended by a wide range of political groups was held. 1991March, the National Assembly passed the Gabonese Political Parties Act to regulate the management of political parties. According to the new constitution, Gabon will implement the separation of powers, and all political parties will participate in elections according to the principle of multi-party democracy. After the party ban was lifted, political parties and organizations mushroomed in Gabon, and the political situation in Gabon was once turbulent. However, Bongo and the ruling Democratic Party of Gabon still maintained absolute control over the political power, and they were sure to win the subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections, and Bongo's authoritarian rule was always stable.
Maintaining national stability and development and consolidating the position of the ruling party are the main tasks facing sub-Saharan African countries after independence. As the president of Gabon, Bongo has been in power for more than 30 years, which fully embodies his outstanding personal leadership skills in governing the country, promoting national unity, developing the national economy and maintaining political stability. Judging from the future political trend of Gabon, although the Bongo regime faces many difficulties, it is still expected to continue to write a new chapter in the "Oasis of Peace in Africa".
On the economic policy, Bongo pursued the policies of "democracy, coordination and progressivism" and "liberalism with leadership and planning". Adopt the economic policy of joint venture economy, gradually realize Gabon's economy and oppose nationalization. He adopted the "liberalization" policy of opening to the outside world, absorbed a lot of foreign experience, introduced advanced equipment and developed the national economy. From 65438 to 0980, he led the government to set out a three-year (1980- 1983) development plan from reality. The principle of this plan is to implement diversified economic policies and attach importance to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises; On the other hand, it is to help the development of national capital and get rid of the economic constraints of developed countries.
Bongo also proposed to "prepare for the future of oil" and built a trans-Gabon railway. He said, "Even if I deal with the devil, I will build this road." 1973, he devoted himself to the "Battle of the Pan-Gabon Railway" and laid the first sleeper himself. The railway starts from Libreville in the west and ends in Fransville in the east, with a total length of 950 kilometers. The total project cost is about 600 billion CFA francs, and it was completed and opened to traffic at the end of 1986. 199 1 year's passenger and cargo transportation income is 18 1 billion and 9295438+billion CFA francs respectively. This railway will once again become the main artery of Gabon's economic development.
Under Bongo's rule, Gabon's economy developed rapidly, becoming a middle-income developing country and being listed as the only middle-income country in French-speaking Africa. Oil, manganese, uranium and timber are the four pillars of Gabon's economy. The oil-based extractive industry is developing rapidly, while Gabon's manufacturing industry is weak and agriculture is developing slowly. Most of the food in this country depends on imports. 1985 per capita GDP reached 3 177 USD. 1986, the price reduction of oil and the depreciation of the US dollar led to a sharp drop in Gabon's income and economic difficulties. Forced to postpone the completion of the five-year plan 1984 ~ 1990, and reached an agreement with the international monetary fund and the world bank to implement two structural adjustment plans (1986 ~ 65430). 1990 to 10 to implement the structural adjustment plan for a period of 18 months. However, the economy continues to be difficult. From 65438 to 0993, the fiscal deficit and the balance of payments deficit increased sharply, and the financial situation became more severe. From 65438 to 0994, due to the devaluation of the CFA franc, the economic growth rate declined and the debt burden increased. 1994 to 1995 implement the structural adjustment plan again. After 1995, the economy recovered, the trade surplus expanded and the balance of payments deficit decreased. The main economic indicators rose, and the gross domestic product increased by 3.2% over the previous year. From 65438 to 0998, hit by the Asian financial crisis and the fall of international oil prices, the economic situation deteriorated again, leading to negative economic growth. According to the development report of the African Development Bank (ADB) 1999, the GDP of Gabon 1998 was US$ 4.734 billion, down1.29% from the previous year. In 0990, the average annual GDP growth rate was 1980 ~ 65438+4.3%, and1991998 was -2.0%. According to the World Development Report of the World Bank (1998/99), Gabon 1997 had a GDP of 5.335 billion US dollars and a per capita income of 4.230 US dollars, ranking 38th in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks first among independent African countries, second only to reunion island and Seychelles.
Since the beginning of the 2nd/Kloc-0th century, the Gabonese government has actively sought foreign aid to revitalize the economy by tightening monetary policy, strengthening financial management, speeding up the privatization process, and implementing the strategy of economic diversification. 200 1 Gabon's economic situation has improved, and the GDP growth rate is expected to be 0.2%. In 2007, Gabon's GDP was US$ 654.38+0.09 billion, an increase of 5.6% over the previous year.
Gabon's army was formerly the French colonial army. At independence, the number of people did not exceed 300. 1960 defense agreement with France; Gabonese officers are trained by France; Weapons and equipment are provided by France. Since 196 1, the number of troops has been increasing. After 1972, the sources of military equipment tend to be diversified. With the continuous expansion of the size of the army, three independent services were established, and 1983 established three general staff departments; 1986, the general staff of the armed forces was established to take charge of the three armed forces. Bongo was a witness to the February coup of 1964, which had a far-reaching influence on Bongo. Therefore, Bongo attached great importance to national defense construction and strengthened strict control over the army after taking office.
Command organization: the Supreme National Defense Council is established, with the President as the chairman, responsible for formulating national defense policies. The Minister of Defence, Security and Immigration is responsible for the implementation of national defence policy, assisted by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Commander of Gendarmerie and the Commander of Police. The army, navy and air force all have their own general staff. The Presidential Guard is under the personal command of the President. The whole country is divided into seven military regions, and each military region has a command to administer the troops in the region.
Strength: The total strength is about 654.38+300,000, which consists of three parts:
1. The armed forces include the army, navy and air force, the light flying brigade and the fire brigade of the armed forces, with about 6,000 people, including female soldiers 150. Army 1.900 personnel, belonging to 1 command reinforcement battalion, 1 paratrooper battalion, 4 infantry companies, 1 engineering company, 1 service company. The navy consists of 500 people and is deployed at two bases in Libreville and Port Jean-Pierre. The air force consists of 600 people, with bases in Libreville and Mugai in Fransville.
2. * * * and National Guard 1500. The Royal Guard directly controlled by the President is well equipped, and the National Guard and the National Guard account for one-sixth of Gabon's army, which also makes Bongo one of the strongest security leaders.
3. The security forces include gendarmerie and police, with 3,000 and 2,500 personnel respectively.
Weapons and equipment: 80% of the weapons and equipment are from France, and the rest are from Britain, the United States, Italy, Germany, Brazil and China. The army is mainly equipped with more than 40 light tanks, 35 armored personnel carriers, 4 howitzers, 8 multi-barrel rockets, 40 mortars, 6 recoilless guns and 2 1 anti-aircraft guns. Naval equipment 1 missile boat, 1 landing boat, 3 small landing boats, 1 maritime patrol boat and 4 inland river patrol boats. The Air Force has 9 Mirage jets, 1 maritime patrol aircraft, 4 large and medium-sized transport planes, 1 medium-sized passenger planes, 4 small passenger planes, 6 trainers and 14 helicopters.
Great changes have taken place in Gabon's foreign relations since Bongo came to power. Bongo's policy is to have a house with several doors, so that when some doors are closed, we can open other doors at any time to communicate freely with the outside world. In international affairs, we have always pursued a comprehensive, non-aligned, international cooperation and good-neighborly and friendly policy. Oppose imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism, and defend national independence and state sovereignty. Support the African national liberation movement. Pay attention to developing friendly and cooperative relations with the vast number of third world countries. In addition, special attention is paid to solidarity with Arab countries. 1973, the fourth middle east war broke out. In order to promote the unity of Arab countries, Bongo announced his conversion from Catholicism to Islam and changed his name to Abel-Bernard Bongo. Advocate diplomatic modernization to meet the needs of trade globalization and the rapid development of economy, science and technology and information; Advocate the development of South-South cooperation, carry out North-South dialogue and establish a new international economic order; Oppose any country to dominate the world, advocate equality among countries, safeguard national independence and sovereignty, and oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs; Emphasize good-neighborly friendship and African unity; Advocate the principle of "dialogue, tolerance and peace" in handling international relations; We advocate solving world and regional conflicts through dialogue, reconciliation, consultation and non-violence.
On major international issues, Bongo advocated increasing the number of African members in the UN Security Council, with African countries taking turns to represent Africa as members of the Security Council. Oppose the use of force to resolve conflicts in Africa and advocate seeking solutions through dialogue; Advocate ruling through democratic elections and oppose coming to power through military coups; Support the establishment of African conflict prevention mechanisms and emergency humanitarian intervention institutions to resolve conflicts in Africa and strengthen Africa's peacekeeping capacity; Promote subregional economic cooperation, support and promote the process of African integration, and support the establishment of the "African Union"; It is believed that globalization has aggravated the gap between rich and poor countries, and Africa has been marginalized in globalization, advocating the elimination of poverty, which is the main reason for tension and conflict in the world, especially in Africa. Demands to change the unreasonable old economic order, substantially increase development assistance to African countries, and reduce the debts of African countries including Gabon; Support the North-South dialogue and advocate the Korean people's independent democratic reunification of the motherland without foreign interference; Advocating the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and holding that Palestinian independence is justified and inevitable; Advocating the settlement of conflicts between factions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through peaceful negotiations.
Bongo is particularly committed to maintaining the unity and unity of Africa and promoting the policy of friendly cooperation and harmonious coexistence with Africa, especially with neighboring countries. Since 1977, it has actively participated in the work of the Organization of African Unity and the African Union. His excellent work and love for Africa have won the respect of his hard-working African colleagues. Since the implementation of the "all-round foreign policy", Bongo has safeguarded national sovereignty and dignity, won international reputation and improved its international status.
Bongo plays an important role in Africa and has superb political skills, which has a certain influence on African cultural construction. Bongo was in office for 42 years and was the longest-serving leader in Africa. In Africa, seniority is still the capital of the president, and Bongo's super-elder status is becoming more and more important. As an AU mediator, he mediated the civil wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the armed conflict between Libya and Chad. In 2005, Togolese President Eyadema died after 38 years in power, and his son Faure Gnassingbe was succeeded by the army, which was accused of a real coup. Later, Bongo mediated as a veteran and advised his son to "return government to the people" and participate in democratic elections, implying that as long as this happens, he will be elected, and everyone will be happy. This kind of "mediation" with African characteristics often appears, and Bongo's participation in international affairs as a leader of a small country is based on this tradition.