The ruling party in Gabon says it has selected Ali-Ben Bongo to run for the presidency formerly held by his father, Omar, who died in June.

Bongo, now the defense minister, is almost certain to win, the BBC reported Saturday. The decision was announced by the Gabonese Democratic Party.

"The 9party0 is overwhelmingly dominant," Paul Melly, an expert on African politics, told the BBC. "None of the opposition parties can really match it -- unless there's strong popular resistance to the idea of a continuation of the Bongo dynasty."

Omar Bongo ruled Gabon for 40 years. The former French colony in west-central Africa is rich because of oil revenues.

Election officials have recommended a vote Aug. 30.