Pierre-André Kombila
Encyclopedia
Pierre-André Kombila Koumba (born 8 May 1941) is a Gabon
ese politician, professor, and medical doctor. He was the First Secretary of the National Rally of Woodcutters (RNB), Gabon's main opposition party, from 1990 to 1998; he then led a split from the RNB, establishing the more radical National Rally of Woodcutters - Democrats (RNB-D) in 1998. He was nominated as the RNB-D's candidate for the 1998 presidential election
, but received only a small share of the vote. Later, he abandoned his opposition to President Omar Bongo
and joined the government, serving as Minister of Technical and Vocational Education from 2006 to 2009 and as Minister of Hydraulic Resources and New Energies in 2009. Following Bongo's death, he rejoined the opposition in mid-2009.
, and studied medicine in France
, becoming a cardiologist
; he was also a member of the Federation of Black African Students in France. After graduating, Kombila declined job opportunities in Europe and chose to return home to Gabon in 1977; he was personally congratulated by President Omar Bongo
on 6 September 1977. In 1978, he founded the cardiology department at the Central Hospital of Libreville.
Kombila, an internationally respected cardiologist, is a member of the Pan-African Cardiology Society, as well as an associate member and correspondent of the French Cardiology Society.
as an RNB candidate in the Moabi constituency of Nyanga Province in the 1990 parliamentary election. He was designated as the Chairman of the Committee for Free and Democratic Elections, an opposition body, in June 1993.
Paul Mba Abessole, the President of the RNB, stood as the party's presidential candidate in the December 1993 presidential election
. Official results showed President Bongo defeating Mba Abessole with a narrow first round majority of 51%; however, Mba Abessole said that he was the actual winner, declaring himself President and naming Kombila as his Prime Minister. Speaking to the Associated Press
on this occasion, Kombila described the official results as "fraudulent" and said that he intended to form "a fighting government".
Kombila remained a Deputy in the National Assembly until 1996 and was the publisher of the opposition paper Le Bûcheron. He was convicted of libel against President Bongo in January 1998 after Le Bûcheron published claims that Bongo practiced witchcraft
, and he received a fine and a four-month suspended prison sentence
.
Prior to the December 1998 presidential election
, Kombila was expelled from the RNB in July 1998, leading Kombila's supporters to form their own faction and nominate Kombila as their presidential candidate later in the month. Mba Abessole, who headed the other faction, accused Kombila of "treachery and indiscipline". As the candidate of the RNB-D, Kombila received 1.5% of the vote according to official results, well short of Mba Abessole's 13%. Omar Bongo won the election with over 66% of the vote; Kombila alleged widespread fraud.
, whooping cough, tuberculosis
, and neo-natal tetanus. Speaking in early 2004, he criticized traditional healers for spreading harmful, unscientific ideas, such as the notion that AIDS
could be cured by having sex with a virgin.
Prior to the November 2005 presidential election
, Kombila was President of the Medical Commission for the presidential candidates; in that capacity, he was charged with evaluating the health of the candidates and determining whether they were in an appropriate physical condition to run for office. He reviewed Bongo's health on 10 October 2005. By the time of the 2005 election, Kombila had receded from prominence in Gabonese politics, but following Bongo's victory he was appointed to the government as Minister of State for Technical Education, Vocational Education, and the Professional Employment of Youth on 21 January 2006.
In the December 2006 parliamentary election
, Kombila was again elected to the National Assembly, winning the first seat in Moabi constituency as an RNB-D candidate. He was retained in his ministerial portfolio after the election, although he was subsequently reduced to the rank of ordinary minister on 29 December 2007. At the RNB-D's Third Ordinary Congress on 25–26 January 2008, the RNB-D decided to formally join the Presidential Majority and Kombila was elected to the newly-created position of RNB-D President.
in the 30 August 2009 presidential election
, and when a new government under Paul Biyoghé Mba
was appointed on 22 July 2009, Kombila was not included. Kombila said that Biyoghé Mba was in office merely "to organize the victory of a candidate" (referring to PDG candidate Ali-Ben Bongo
) and that he should resign along with his government; he also said that Interim President Rose Francine Rogombé
should meet with the political class to discuss setting up a different structure to organize the election.
PDG candidate Ali Bongo won the election according to official results. Opposition supporters in Port-Gentil
began rioting following the announcement of results. As an opposition leader, Kombila was critical of the government's response to the rioting; on 9 September 2009 he said that 15 bodies were present in a local morgue and that scores of people might have been killed. He also suggested there might be credibility in a rumor that soldiers had been throwing dead bodies into the sea. Minister of Communications Laure Olga Gondjout
said later on 9 September that only three people had been killed and that soldiers had not been involved in those deaths. She also criticized Kombila and other opposition leaders for their conduct in the wake of the election: "There are people who have used the media, used some journalists to appeal to hatred, to insurrection. Unfortunately, Gabonese youths are being brought before justice while the leaders are hiding in their homes."
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
ese politician, professor, and medical doctor. He was the First Secretary of the National Rally of Woodcutters (RNB), Gabon's main opposition party, from 1990 to 1998; he then led a split from the RNB, establishing the more radical National Rally of Woodcutters - Democrats (RNB-D) in 1998. He was nominated as the RNB-D's candidate for the 1998 presidential election
Gabonese presidential election, 1998
Presidential elections were held in Gabon on 6 December 1998. Incumbent President Omar Bongo Ondimba, in power since 1967, sought a seven-year term against five other candidates...
, but received only a small share of the vote. Later, he abandoned his opposition to President Omar Bongo
Omar Bongo
El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba , born as Albert-Bernard Bongo, was a Gabonese politician who was President of Gabon for 42 years from 1967 until his death in office in 2009....
and joined the government, serving as Minister of Technical and Vocational Education from 2006 to 2009 and as Minister of Hydraulic Resources and New Energies in 2009. Following Bongo's death, he rejoined the opposition in mid-2009.
Education and medical career
Kombila was born in Lac Anengué, near Port-GentilPort-Gentil
Port-Gentil or Mandji is the second-largest city of Gabon and a leading seaport. It is the center of Gabon's petroleum and timber industries. Although it lies inshore, the nearby mainland is a remote forest area and it is not connected by road to the rest of the nation...
, and studied medicine in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, becoming a cardiologist
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
; he was also a member of the Federation of Black African Students in France. After graduating, Kombila declined job opportunities in Europe and chose to return home to Gabon in 1977; he was personally congratulated by President Omar Bongo
Omar Bongo
El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba , born as Albert-Bernard Bongo, was a Gabonese politician who was President of Gabon for 42 years from 1967 until his death in office in 2009....
on 6 September 1977. In 1978, he founded the cardiology department at the Central Hospital of Libreville.
Kombila, an internationally respected cardiologist, is a member of the Pan-African Cardiology Society, as well as an associate member and correspondent of the French Cardiology Society.
Political career during the 1990s
As an opposition politician, Kombila became First Secretary of the National Rally of Woodcutters (RNB) in 1990 and was elected to the National AssemblyNational Assembly of Gabon
The National Assembly of Gabon is the lower house of the Parliament of Gabon. It has 120 members, 111 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies and 9 members appointed by the President.-Latest results:...
as an RNB candidate in the Moabi constituency of Nyanga Province in the 1990 parliamentary election. He was designated as the Chairman of the Committee for Free and Democratic Elections, an opposition body, in June 1993.
Paul Mba Abessole, the President of the RNB, stood as the party's presidential candidate in the December 1993 presidential election
Gabonese presidential election, 1993
Gabon held a presidential election on 5 December 1993. Incumbent President Omar Bongo, in power since 1967, sought a five-year term against 12 other candidates. It was Gabon's first multiparty election, and according to official results Bongo won in the first round with 51.2% of the vote...
. Official results showed President Bongo defeating Mba Abessole with a narrow first round majority of 51%; however, Mba Abessole said that he was the actual winner, declaring himself President and naming Kombila as his Prime Minister. Speaking to the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
on this occasion, Kombila described the official results as "fraudulent" and said that he intended to form "a fighting government".
Kombila remained a Deputy in the National Assembly until 1996 and was the publisher of the opposition paper Le Bûcheron. He was convicted of libel against President Bongo in January 1998 after Le Bûcheron published claims that Bongo practiced witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, and he received a fine and a four-month suspended prison sentence
Suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
.
Prior to the December 1998 presidential election
Gabonese presidential election, 1998
Presidential elections were held in Gabon on 6 December 1998. Incumbent President Omar Bongo Ondimba, in power since 1967, sought a seven-year term against five other candidates...
, Kombila was expelled from the RNB in July 1998, leading Kombila's supporters to form their own faction and nominate Kombila as their presidential candidate later in the month. Mba Abessole, who headed the other faction, accused Kombila of "treachery and indiscipline". As the candidate of the RNB-D, Kombila received 1.5% of the vote according to official results, well short of Mba Abessole's 13%. Omar Bongo won the election with over 66% of the vote; Kombila alleged widespread fraud.
Political career since the late 1990s
Kombila was appointed as Director-General of Health in the late 1990s; he was subsequently appointed as Inspector-General of Health before being appointed as Director-General of Health again. In January 2000, he expressed disappointment with the prevalence of disease in Africa, saying that "this is not the African renaissance we expected"; furthermore, he said that, although Africans did "not expect outside solutions ... people must understand that these are not just our problems anymore. With globalization, they are everybody's." He said in December 2003 that an insufficient and declining rate of child vaccination in Gabon was leading to worrying increases in the prevalence of measlesMeasles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
, whooping cough, tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, and neo-natal tetanus. Speaking in early 2004, he criticized traditional healers for spreading harmful, unscientific ideas, such as the notion that AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
could be cured by having sex with a virgin.
Prior to the November 2005 presidential election
Gabonese presidential election, 2005
Gabon held a presidential election on 27 November 2005. Incumbent President Omar Bongo Ondimba, in power since 1967 , sought another seven-year term against four other candidates. According to an announcement of results by the country's interior minister, Bongo won the election with 79.2% of the vote...
, Kombila was President of the Medical Commission for the presidential candidates; in that capacity, he was charged with evaluating the health of the candidates and determining whether they were in an appropriate physical condition to run for office. He reviewed Bongo's health on 10 October 2005. By the time of the 2005 election, Kombila had receded from prominence in Gabonese politics, but following Bongo's victory he was appointed to the government as Minister of State for Technical Education, Vocational Education, and the Professional Employment of Youth on 21 January 2006.
In the December 2006 parliamentary election
Gabonese legislative election, 2006
A legislative election was held in Gabon on 17 December 2006 ....
, Kombila was again elected to the National Assembly, winning the first seat in Moabi constituency as an RNB-D candidate. He was retained in his ministerial portfolio after the election, although he was subsequently reduced to the rank of ordinary minister on 29 December 2007. At the RNB-D's Third Ordinary Congress on 25–26 January 2008, the RNB-D decided to formally join the Presidential Majority and Kombila was elected to the newly-created position of RNB-D President.
2009 events
Following President Bongo's death on 8 June 2009, Kombila was moved to the position of Minister of Hydraulic Resources and New Energies on 19 June 2009. Subsequently he and the RNB-D chose to support opposition candidate Pierre MamboundouPierre Mamboundou
Pierre Mamboundou was a Gabonese politician. He was President of the Union of the Gabonese People , an opposition party in Gabon, from 1989 to 2011.-ACCT career and 1989 events:Mamboundou was born in Mouila...
in the 30 August 2009 presidential election
Gabonese presidential election, 2009
A presidential election was held in Gabon on 30 August 2009 after the incumbent President Omar Bongo Ondimba died on 8 June 2009. While the constitution stated that Interim President Rose Francine Rogombé should organise elections within 30 to 45 days, the Constitutional Court accepted the...
, and when a new government under Paul Biyoghé Mba
Paul Biyoghé Mba
Paul Biyoghé Mba is a Gabonese politician who has been Prime Minister of Gabon since July 2009. A member of the Gabonese Democratic Party , he served for years as a minister in the government prior to his appointment as Prime Minister....
was appointed on 22 July 2009, Kombila was not included. Kombila said that Biyoghé Mba was in office merely "to organize the victory of a candidate" (referring to PDG candidate Ali-Ben Bongo
Ali-Ben Bongo
Ali Bongo Ondimba is a Gabonese politician who has been President of Gabon since October 2009.Bongo is the son of Omar Bongo, who was President of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009...
) and that he should resign along with his government; he also said that Interim President Rose Francine Rogombé
Rose Francine Rogombé
Rose Francine Rogombé is a Gabonese politician who was Acting President of Gabon from June 2009 to October 2009, following the death of long-time President Omar Bongo. She constitutionally succeeded Bongo due to her role as President of the Senate, a post to which she was elected in February 2009...
should meet with the political class to discuss setting up a different structure to organize the election.
PDG candidate Ali Bongo won the election according to official results. Opposition supporters in Port-Gentil
Port-Gentil
Port-Gentil or Mandji is the second-largest city of Gabon and a leading seaport. It is the center of Gabon's petroleum and timber industries. Although it lies inshore, the nearby mainland is a remote forest area and it is not connected by road to the rest of the nation...
began rioting following the announcement of results. As an opposition leader, Kombila was critical of the government's response to the rioting; on 9 September 2009 he said that 15 bodies were present in a local morgue and that scores of people might have been killed. He also suggested there might be credibility in a rumor that soldiers had been throwing dead bodies into the sea. Minister of Communications Laure Olga Gondjout
Laure Olga Gondjout
Laure Olga Gondjout is a Gabonese politician. She has served in the government since 2006 and is currently the Minister of Communication, Posts, Telecommunications, and New Information Technologies....
said later on 9 September that only three people had been killed and that soldiers had not been involved in those deaths. She also criticized Kombila and other opposition leaders for their conduct in the wake of the election: "There are people who have used the media, used some journalists to appeal to hatred, to insurrection. Unfortunately, Gabonese youths are being brought before justice while the leaders are hiding in their homes."