The president of the Gabonese republic Ali Bongo Ondimba presides over the ceremony of the 55th anniversary of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). Some supporters had expected him to declare himself a direct candidate for his own succession but he instead spoke of his illness stroke and said he was determined to continue the work begun 14 years ago. "We are confident that in the days to come it will be clear that he is a candidate for his own succession" says one party supporter. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES