Opposition and civil society groups are mobilising in support of the Gabonese leader after a bloc of central African states refused to lift sanctions imposed on Gabon after the military ousted President Ali Ben Bongo in late August

The opposition is divided over a measure proposed at the national dialogue to suspend nearly 200 political parties until further notice and prevent members of President Ali Bongo's Gabonese Democratic Party from participating in elections for three years

Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Gabon's Transitional President Brice Oligui Nguema to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations

Gabon's transitional president asked his Ivory Coast counterpart to help him get African Union sanctions lifted

A national dialogue aimed at revitalizing democratic institutions after 54 years of the Bongo dynasty has been initiated, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, a key step and a significant change in Gabonese politics