Gabonese President Ali Bongo, 64, says he will run for re-election in August.
He disclosed on Sunday, his family has been at the helm of affairs for a 56-year grip on power in the Central African country.
“I officially announce today, here, that I am a CANDIDATE! I know that together, all together, united, by the will of God, we will win!”, Bongo said.
Bongo is quoted by Reuters News Agency saying: “Because nothing matters more than your success, I am announcing today that I am a candidate”.
Elections are scheduled for Aug. 26.
The 64-year-old has been president of the oil-producing nation for fourteen-year (two terms).
He succeeded his father Omar, who died in 2009 after ruling since 1967. Gabon has no constitutional term limits.
The opposition disputed both of Bongo’s election wins, who said he won fraudulently. His 2016 victory sparked deadly clashes between police and protesters in the process in which the parliamentary building was gutted by fire.
Bongo’s re-election bid was thrown into doubt when he suffered a stroke in October 2018 and was flown to Morocco for medical treatment. He spent three months abroad but returned shortly after a coup attempt was thwarted in his absence.