Ondimba

Ondimba is a surname most prominently linked to Gabon’s ruling political family, usually written as Bongo Ondimba or Bongo-Ondimba. The combined surname appears in formal references to members of the Gabonese political elite and their descendants.

Omar Bongo Ondimba (1935–2009), commonly known as Omar Bongo, was the head of state of Gabon from 1967 until his death, presiding over the country for several decades. His son, Ali Bongo Ondimba (born 1959), became president after his father’s death, assuming office in 2009 and continuing his political career into the 2010s.

The Bongo-Ondimba family has maintained a dominant role in Gabonese politics since independence, with multiple family members holding senior government and state positions. The family’s prominence has been associated with political stability in Gabon as well as criticism from opponents and international observers regarding governance, legitimacy, and allegations of corruption or cronyism that can accompany long-standing political dynasties.

Ondimba itself is a Gabonese surname; in many sources it is paired with Bongo to form the widely recognized Bongo-Ondimba name. The usage underscores lineage within the Gabonese state and exemplifies how family ties have intersected with national governance.

See also: Bongo family; Gabon; Politics of Gabon.