Audio By Carbonatix
A Gabonese court has thrown out a bid by opposition activists to force President Ali Bongo Ondimba to have medical checks to see whether he is still fit to rule.
The court in Libreville rejected the request as "inadmissible," according to the ruling seen Saturday by AFP.
Only the government or the two chambers of parliament had the power to go to the Constitutional Court to get a ruling removing the president from power, it said.
But the activists behind the legal bid denounced the ruling.
"This judgment reinforces our doubt about the capacity of Ali Bongo to still carry out his presidential duties," activist Marc Ona, who leads one of the groups behind the bid, said.
Bongo spent five months abroad in Morocco, recovering from a stroke he suffered Oct. 24 while visiting Saudi Arabia.
During that period, he returned to Gabon twice, his long absence stoking concern about a power vacuum. A brief attempted coup by renegade soldiers in January was quickly ended.
But on his return to Gabon at the end of March, some opponents of the president called for a judicial inquiry into his state of health.
Thursday's court decision appears to have blocked that bid.
Ali Bongo has ruled the oil-rich central African country since 2009, following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled since 1967.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
From Young Nurse to Hypertension Champion: Betty Twumasi Ankrah’s Journey
41 minutes -
Ghana to mark Africa Safer Internet Day on February 10
1 hour -
‘A Tax For Galamsey’: Dr Manteaw warns NDC against shielding ‘galamsey’ DCEs
2 hours -
When a TV is not a vote but the Gospel according to the television set
3 hours -
Ghana can significantly expand domestic revenue without raising tax rates -UGBS Finance Professor
3 hours -
Policeman killed in bloody robbery on Zebilla–Widnaba road
3 hours -
Cedi under seasonal pressure as Q1 demand intensifies; one dollar equals GH¢11.80 at forex bureaus
3 hours -
Roads Minister rejects Minority’s claim of downgrading Suame Interchange Project
3 hours -
Eco-Africa Network demands dismissal of culpable officials in explosive JoyNews exposé
3 hours -
Ayawaso East vote-buying: Party will take decision after committee findings – NDC
3 hours -
Ayawaso Zongo Chiefs warn of possible chaos if NDC annuls disputed primary
4 hours -
I didn’t see failure as an option: Chicago Fire forward Shokalook
4 hours -
TI-Ghana condemns alleged vote-buying in Ayawaso East NDC primary
4 hours -
Karim Zito resigns as Asante Kotoko head coach following MTN FA Cup elimination
4 hours -
“Is your cell phone bugged?” Why privacy may be an Illusion in the age of smart devices
5 hours
