Gabon: Opposition leader refuses post in new cabinet, contradicting government announcement
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An opposition leader in Gabon says he will refuse a post in the president's new cabinet, contradicting a government statement.
President Ali Bongo's government announced on Friday that Jean de Dieu Moukagni Iwangou, president of a coalition that has been calling for a change in leadership after nearly 50 years of rule by the same family, would be the new minister of state for agriculture.
But Moukagni Iwangou said in a Facebook post Saturday that he would not accept the appointment. He said he would focus instead on ensuring that "inclusive dialogue" takes place before a presidential election expected next year while following French investigations into the Bongo family's assets.
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Ali Bongo became president of Gabon in 2009 following the death of his father, longtime ruler Omar Bongo.