Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping attends a meeting with advisors in Libreville, Gabon, September 26, 2016. REUTERS/Edward McAllister 

A poster in support of Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping is seen in the Atong Abe neighborhood of Libreville, Gabon, September 25, 2016. REUTERS/Edward McAllister 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping arrives for the 18th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, January 29, 2012. REUTERS/Noor Khamis/File Photo

A man stands at a window with bullet holes at the headquarters of Gabon opposition leader Jean Ping which was destroyed after election related violence in Libreville, Gabon, September 19, 2016. Picture taken September 19, 2016. REUTERS/Edward McAllister 

Belgium's King Philippe (L) meets former Belgian table tennis champion Jean-Michel Saive at Brussels' Royal Palace, Belgium, January 5, 2016. Saive ended his career last month at the age of 46. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

A set of bats offered to the children of King Philippe by former Belgian table tennis champion Jean-Michel Saive are pictured at Brussels' Royal Palace, Belgium, January 5, 2016. Saive ended his career last month at the age of 46. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Former Belgian table tennis champion Jean-Michel Saive offers a set of bats for the children of King Philippe (R) at Brussels' Royal Palace, Belgium, January 5, 2016. Saive ended his career last month at the age of 46. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Former Belgian table tennis champion Jean-Michel Saive offers a set of bats for the children of King Philippe (R) at Brussels' Royal Palace, Belgium, January 5, 2016. Saive ended his career last month at the age of 46. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir 

Jean Michel Saive of Belgium eyes the ball during his first round singles table tennis match at the 1st European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 , 2015. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Jean Michel Saive of Belgium eyes the ball during his first round singles table tennis match at the 1st European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 16 , 2015. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) shakes hands with table tennis player Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium before a round table with athletes from around the world to present the new Olympic Agenda 2020 discussions at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, November 18, 2014. REUTERS/Jean-Christophe Bott/Pool (SWITZERLAND - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS TABLE TENNIS) 

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the incoming Africa Union (AU) chairperson, is seen leaving after a ceremony to inaugurate her as a successor for outgoing AU Chairman Jean Ping in the post in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa,October 15, 2012. Former South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has officially taken over the leadership of Africa Union (AU) from Jean Ping, becoming the first female head of the AU Commission. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (L), the incoming Africa Union (AU) chairperson, poses with outgoing AU Chairman Jean Ping (R) and other incoming commissioners during a ceremony to inaugurate her as his successor in the post in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, October 15, 2012. Former South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has officially taken over the leadership of Africa Union (AU) from Jean Ping, becoming the first female head of the AU Commission. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the incoming Africa Union (AU) chairperson, receives the gavel from outgoing AU Chairman Jean Ping (R) during a ceremony to inaugurate her as his successor in the post in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, October 15, 2012. Former South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has officially taken over the leadership of Africa Union (AU) from Jean Ping, becoming the first female head of the AU Commission. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the incoming Africa Union (AU) chairperson, shakes hands with delegates during her inauguration ceremony in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa,October 15, 2012. Former South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has officially taken over the leadership of Africa Union (AU) from Jean Ping, becoming the first female head of the AU Commission. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Greece's Kalinikos Kreanga serves to Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive in their men's singles second round table tennis match in the ExCel venue during the London 2012 Olympic Games July 29, 2012. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT TABLE TENNIS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

African Union's rotating chairperson and Benin President Boni Yayi (C), flanked by the new African Union Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (L) and outgoing African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (R), addresses a news conference at the closing of the African Union (AU) leaders' meeting in Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. Picture taken July 16, 2012. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

South African President Jacob Zuma (L) and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma leaves the venue of an AU leaders meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (L) shakes hands with the out-going African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (C) at the (AU) leaders meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

The out-going African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (R) leaves with an unidentified person at the (AU) leaders meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis, July 16, 2012. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (L) walks with the out-going African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (C) at the (AU) leaders meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma arrives at the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Mozambique's President Armando Guebuza arrives at the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS) 

South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma arrives at the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS) 

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki arrives at the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS) 

South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma talks to journalists during the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012. Dlamini-Zuma was elected on Sunday to become the first female head of the African Union Commission, ending a bruising leadership battle that had threatened to divide the organisation. Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's home affairs minister and an ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, defeated incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon, who had been at the helm of the Commission, the AU's steering body, since 2008. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping arrives for the leaders meeting at the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa July 15, 2012. African leaders brought together the presidents of feuding neighbours Sudan and South Sudan on Saturday and fleshed out a plan for military intervention in northern Mali where they said al Qaeda-linked rebels threatened the continent's security. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: SOCIETY POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) talks to Irish rock star Bob Geldof after a news conference at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, May 11, 2012. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) and founder and chief executive of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote attend a session during the World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, May 11, 2012. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh (R) talks to African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping of Gabon during an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting, where the Mali crisis and Guinea-Bissau's coup are discussed, in Abidjan April 26, 2012. REUTERS/Luc Gnago (IVORY COAST - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union President Jean Ping of Gabon attends an extraordinary meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in Dakar, April 2, 2012. Senegal's Macky Sall took his oath as president of the West African country on Monday under the gaze of regional leaders due to hold emergency talks later on the crisis in neighbouring Mali. REUTERS/Joe Penney (SENEGAL - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

African Union commission chairman Jean Ping attends a press conference following the Somalia Conference at Lancaster House in London February 23, 2012. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday threatened sanctions against anyone blocking reforms intended to end Somalia's "hopeless, bloody conflict" and eradicate militant and pirate groups seen as a growing menace to world security. REUTERS/Peter Macdiarmid/POOL (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping (L) and Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi, newly elected African Union president, talk shortly after the closing ceremony of the 18th African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa January 31, 2012. REUTERS/Noor Khamis (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping addresses delegates at the 18th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa January 29, 2012. REUTERS/Noor Khamis (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping arrives for the 18th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, January 29, 2012. REUTERS/Noor Khamis (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS HEADSHOT) 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni arrives for the meeting of the African Union Ad Hoc High Level Committee on Libya, hosted by South African President Jacob Zuma, in Pretoria September 14, 2011. The committee consists of leaders of Mauritania, Congo Republic, Mali, South Africa, and Uganda, as well as the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Jean Ping. The meeting will deliberate on the situation in Libya. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: POLITICS) 

Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Congo Republic, arrives for the meeting of the African Union Ad Hoc High Level Committee on Libya, hosted by South African President Jacob Zuma, in Pretoria September 14, 2011. The committee consists of leaders of Mauritania, Congo Republic, Mali, South Africa, and Uganda, as well as the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Jean Ping. The meeting will deliberate on the situation in Libya. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping addresses an emergency summit of the AU Peace and Security Council in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa August 26, 2011. The African Union called on Friday for the formation of an inclusive transitional government in Libya, saying it could not recognise the rebels as sole legitimate representatives of the nation while fighting continued. REUTERS/Stringer (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT) 

African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping (2nd R) and Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (C) arrive at the Africa Union summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa August 25, 2011. A much-delayed African Union summit held on Thursday to raise money to tackle famine in Somalia and drought across the Horn of Africa attracted only four heads of state despite furious criticism of the continent's response to the crisis. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi - who hosted the event in his country's capital - attended alongside the heads of state of Somalia, Djibouti and Equatorial Guinea. REUTERS/Stringer (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY BUSINESS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a news conference after talks with the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping leave a news conference at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping listens to a question during a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping hold a news conference at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pictured through a window as she waits to welcome the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping smile after reviewing a guard of honour at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping review a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) gestures to the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping listen to the German national anthem upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pictured through a window as she waits to welcome the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) welcomes Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping review a guard of honour upon his arrival at the Chancellery in Berlin July 5, 2011. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: POLITICS) 

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (R), Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa (C) and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping answer questions at a news conference after attending a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 18, 2011. The Arab League hosts a meeting of regional and international organisations to discuss the situation in Libya. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) 

Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa (R) talks to Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping during a news conference after attending a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 18, 2011. The Arab League hosts a meeting of regional and international organisations to discuss the situation in Libya. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) 

Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping listens to the speech of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon via video conference during a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 18, 2011. The Arab League hosts meeting of regional and international organisations to discuss situation in Libya. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) 

Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping listens to the speech of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon via video conference during a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo June 18, 2011. The Arab League hosts meeting of regional and international organisations to discuss situation in Libya. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union President Jean Ping (L) and Central Africa Republic's President Francois Bozize attend a Central Africa International Donors' Conference at the Egmont Palace in Brussels June 17, 2011. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union President Jean Ping (L) and Central Africa Republic's President Francois Bozize (R) attend a Central Africa International Donors' Conference at the Egmont Palace in Brussels June 17, 2011. REUTERS/Thierry Roge (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS) 

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton listens to an introduction by AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping (shown on the monitor below) at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 13, 2011. REUTERS/Susan Walsh/Pool (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS) 

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso holds a news conference after a meeting with African Union President Jean Ping in Brussels June 1, 2011. REUTERS/Yves Herman (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS) 

African Union President Jean Ping holds a news conference after a meeting at the European Commission in Brussels June 1, 2011. REUTERS/Yves Herman (BELGIUM - Tags: POLITICS)