Gabon: President Bongo Confirmed Dead

8 June 2009
allAfrica.com

Gabon's President Omar Bongo, 73, has died in a hospital in Spain.

After conflicting reports about Bongo's death throughout Monday, Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong has confirmed that Bongo had died, news agencies reported. Bongo reportedly suffered a heart attack.

Bongo was in Spain receiving treatment for cancer. He stepped down from day-to-day activities  in early May as a result of his health.

Bongo, one of three African heads-of-state facing a French corruption investigation, was Africa's longest serving ruler. He assumed power in Gabon in 1967.

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