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President Of Gabon Defends His Record, Shares Reforms It has been nearly two years since President Ali Bongo Ondimba of the Central African nation of Gabon took over the country his father ruled for four decades. Despite winning in democratically-held elections, he has been accused of violating human rights and siphoning off profits from the country's oil industry. Host Michel Martin speaks with President Bongo Ondimba about these accusations, his meeting with President Obama, and some of the misconceptions Americans have about Gabon.

Africa

President Of Gabon Defends His Record, Shares Reforms

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President Of Gabon Defends His Record, Shares Reforms

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It has been nearly two years since President Ali Bongo Ondimba of the Central African nation of Gabon took over the country his father ruled for four decades. Despite winning in democratically-held elections, he has been accused of violating human rights and siphoning off profits from the country's oil industry. Host Michel Martin speaks with President Bongo Ondimba about these accusations, his meeting with President Obama, and some of the misconceptions Americans have about Gabon.

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President Barack Obama meets with Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, June, 9, 2011, in the Oval Office of the White House. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ASSOCIATED PRESS hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama meets with Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, June, 9, 2011, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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