Gabonese Socialist Union
{{Short description|Political party in Gabon}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Gabonese Socialist Union
| colorcode = {{party color|Gabonese Socialist Union}}
| ideology = Socialism
| country = Gabon
| native_name = Union socialiste gabonaise
| founder = Serge Mba Békalé
| leader1_title = First Secretary
| leader1_name = Guy Nang Békalé
| position = Left-wing
| national = African Forum for Reconstruction
| seats1_title = Seats
| seats1 =
}}
The Gabonese Socialist Union ({{langx|fr|Union socialiste gabonaise}}, abbreviated USG) is a political party in Gabon. Initially an opposition party founded by formerly exiled student activists, the party aligned itself with the ruling majority.
History
Serge Mba Békalé was the founding president of the party.Gabonews. [http://iphone.gabonews.com/politique/6357-politique-2eme-congres-national-de-ll-usg-r-sur-fond-de-nouveau-depart- Politique / 2ème Congrès national de l’« USG » sur fond de nouveau départ]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The majority of the founders of USG had belonged to the General Association of Gabonese Students ({{Lang|fr|Association générale des étudiants gabonais}}, AGEG) in France. Prominent members of the party included Marguérite Makaga, Vincent Essono Mengue, Alfred Antchouet Wora, Mouanga Mbadinga, Marc-Louis Ropivia and Hervé Ossamane Onouviet.Ndombet, Wilson-André. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hg6tPjk1KG8C Renouveau démocratique et pouvoir au Gabon (1990–1993)]. Paris: Karthala, 2009. p. 84
The USG won four seats in the 1990 legislative elections, although it lost a seat in the by-elections held in March 1991.[http://africanelections.tripod.com/ga.html Elections in Gabon] African Elections Database The party joined the coalition government formed in June 1991.[https://books.google.com/books?id=1KBP7QbalX0C&pg=PA409 Africa South of the Sahara 2003]. London: Europa publications, 2003. p. 409
In February 1992 USG united with two other parties, MORENA–Original and the Gabonese Socialist Party, to form an alliance called the African Forum for Reconstruction (FAR). In July 1992 FAR led protests against the proposed Electoral Code.Rake, Alan. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BMNwAAAAMAAJ New African Yearbook]. 1999/2000. 1999. p. 189 Originally a vocal opposition party, USG soon joined the presidential majority, which caused various splits in the party.Ndombet, Wilson-André. [https://books.google.com/books?id=hg6tPjk1KG8C Renouveau démocratique et pouvoir au Gabon (1990–1993)]. Paris: Karthala, 2009. p. 195 In November 1993 USG declared its support for candidacy of incumbent President Omar Bongo in the upcoming elections.Europa Publications Limited, and Taylor & Francis Group. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Oabsu05rJNoC The Europa World Year Book: 2008]. New York: Routledge, 2008. p. 1896
The USG won two seats in the 1996 legislative elections,Day, Alan J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pmwYAAAAIAAJ Political Parties of the World]. London: Harper, 2002. p. 201 but lost both in the 2001 elections. The party has not regained parliamentary representation since.
Mba Békalé died in January 2010. After his death Mombo Nzigou provisionally took over the leadership of the party executive committee. In October 2011 USG held its second party congress in Libreville. The congress elected Guy Nang Békalé as the first secretary of the party.
References
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{{Gabonese political parties}}
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Category:Political parties in Gabon
Category:Political parties with year of establishment missing
Category:Socialist parties in Africa
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