Gabon: New Confusion Over Bongo

El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic.
8 June 2009

Gabon's government has denied reports that President Omar Bongo of Gabon has died in hospital in Barcelona, Spain.

Bongo was said by French media and government sources to have died, but Gabon's Prime Minister, Jean Eyeghe Ndong, contradicted the report, the Agence de Presse Sénégalaise (APS) reported from Dakar on Sunday.

News agencies reported on Monday that Ndong repeated his denial at a news conference at the Barcelona hospital where Bongo has been receiving treatment - reportedly for intestinal cancer - since early May.

The BBC quoted the Spanish government as confirming the denial.

Bongo's hospitalization has sparked debate about his successor in Gabon, which he has ruled since 1967. He is Africa's longest-serving ruler.

More news on our French pages >>

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.