President Ali Bongo, seeking a second term, comes up against Jean Ping who was foreign minister in his father Omar Bongo’s government.

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Omar Bongo ruled the oil rich little country in west-central Africa for 42 years.

Now his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is seeking a second seven-year term as president on a pledge to diversify an economy that gets 60% of its revenue from oil.

The man  hoping to end the Bongo family’s long lock on power is former African Union Commission chief Jean Ping.

He faces an uphill battle against Bongo, who is backed by the country’s powerful elite and leaders of France, the country’s former colonial master.

Tensions are high ahead of the vote.

Opposition leaders have been barred from organising public rallies, raising fears of election fraud.

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