The son of Gabon’s late president, Omar Bongo, has been chosen by the ruling party to stand in the presidential election expected in late August.
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The decision was announced on national TV by Gabonese Democratic Party’s deputy general secretary Angel Ondo.
Rights groups had argued that no member of the former government should stand again, and expressed particular concern over Mr Bongo’s son, Ali-Ben Bongo.
They accuse the ruling party of funding election campaigns with state money.
Election officials have recommended 30 August as the date for the next election.
The death of 73-year-old Omar Bongo, who ran Gabon for more than 40 years, was announced in June.
His son, who is the current defence minister, has been heavily tipped to replace him.
The 50-year-old’s nomination is due to be formally ratified by a party congress later this week.
Source: BBC News
