Gabon's parliament Speaker resigns as presidential polls approach

Gabon's Parliament Speaker Guy Nzouba Ndama has announced his resignation following what he termed as "continuous violation of parliamentary immunity for members of parliament."

"After much reflection, and in order to restore the dignity of parliamentarians and the honour of Gabon's National Assembly, I have today resigned as Speaker," Ndama said Thursday while reading a letter he had written to President Ali Bongo Ondimba before his colleagues in parliament.

Violation of parliamentary immunity and humiliation of members of parliament on suspicion of working with opposition parties were some of the reasons cited by the speaker to justify his resignation with about five months before presidential elections and eight months before legislative elections.

Gabonese political analysts said the resignation was a blow to the government. According to government structure, the Speaker of Parliament is the third most senior official after the president and Speaker of Senate, the second parliamentary chamber.

Confidants of Nzouba Ndama have indicated that he has presidential ambitions. He could contest in the forthcoming presidential elections against incumbent president.

In a statement released later, the ruling Gabon Democratic Party said it had taken note of the resignation and that it would soon appoint another speaker of parliament.

On the other hand, Gabonese opposition parties hailed Ndama's resignation. Endit