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Finally today — they are still waiting for election results in the west-central African nation of Gabon. That’s the answer to our Geo Quiz — Gabon. A presidential vote was held there on Sunday.
The winner gets to fill the shoes of the late Omar Bongo Ondimba. He was in power for 42 years — until his death in June. One of the candidates now vying for the job is the late president’s son — Ali Ben Bongo.
He — and two other candidates — have all claimed victory. Opposition leaders have accused the younger Bongo of trying to steal the vote. Meanwhile, election officials in Libreville are urging calm — as they continue to count ballots.
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Ali Ben Bongo may be a politician now — but he’s got a past as a musician. He got his start in 1977. He was 18 years old at the time — and went by the name Alain Bongo.
His first album was called “A Brand New Man.” Here’s the title track. After releasing the record — Alain Bongo toured West Africa. He was backed up by a 30-piece American band.
Cost was no object for the president’s son. Through the years, Ali Ben Bongo also indulged his musical passion by inviting American artists to Gabon. Michael Jackson made the trip. So did Jay-Z.
And even after making the transition to politics, Ali Ben Bongo just can’t leave music behind. In fact, candidate Bongo rapped at a hip-hop festival — in front of 10,000 people. The rapping candidate may yet be proclaimed Gabon’s president.
He and the rest of the country will have to wait for the official results.
But there’s no question that Sunday’s vote was historic — after four decades of rule by the elder Mr. Bongo.
Gabonese musician Lord Ekomy Ndong marked the occasion with a rap of his own — called “30-08-09.”
The sounds of Gabonese rapper Lord Ekomy Ndong close our program today.
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