Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power for almost 14 years, announced on Sunday that he will stand for a third term in the presidential elections scheduled for August 26.

For the time being, Mr. Bongo is the clear favorite for the presidential election, as various opposition parties have failed to form a single coalition, with some twenty personalities having already announced their intention to run against the outgoing head of state.

The 64-year-old head of state was first elected in 2009 on the death of his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had ruled the country for over 41 years and was narrowly re-elected in 2016.

His candidacy will have to be ratified by a special congress scheduled for Monday of his all-powerful Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), as a formality, since the party has been begging him to run for a third term for over a year.

Official candidatures close on Tuesday.