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Gabon leader Omar Bongo 'is dead' Gabon leader Bongo's death denied
(1 day later)
Africa's longest-serving leader, President Omar Bongo of Gabon, has died at the age of 73, French media say. Gabon's government has denied French media reports that President Omar Bongo is dead.
Mr Bongo had been treated in a clinic in the Spanish city of Barcelona. He was reported to have cancer, and had suspended his activities in May. Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong said 73-year-old Mr Bongo, who reportedly has cancer, was "alive and well".
There is no official confirmation of the reported death. Gabon's prime minister said he was "not aware" of it. The government in Spain - where Africa's longest-serving leader was being treated in a clinic - has also insisted he is alive.
Mr Bongo has led the oil-producing state since 1967, and faces a French inquiry into corruption allegations. Mr Bongo has led Gabon since 1967, but stopped work in May. He faces a French inquiry into corruption allegations.
The death of the Gabonese veteran leader was reported by AFP news agency, who quoted a French government source, and also by the website of French magazine Le Point, quoting a source close to Mr Bongo's entourage. The BBC's Linel Kwatsi in the capital Libreville says the city appears calm and as normal - however some people have been stockpiling food in case shops close if the president's death is confirmed.
But later Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong told Gabonese TV that he had been "very surprised" to read the reports. The government of the oil-rich nation has asked people not to panic.
"If such a situation comes about, I would think that the president's family would naturally get in touch with me," he said. 'Holiday'
'Powerful dynasty' The death of the Gabonese veteran leader was reported by AFP, which quoted a French government source, and also by the website of French magazine Le Point, quoting a source close to Mr Bongo's entourage.
Gabon's government has maintained close economic and political ties to France, its former colonial power, since independence.
OMAR BONGO Led Gabon for 42 yearsKept close economic and political ties with FranceOil money means Gabon officially one of richest countries in AfricaReported to have cancerHis son is defence ministerHis daughter is his chief of staffHe denies corruption charges in French courtsIntroduced multi-party elections in 1993 - opposition complains they are not fair The murky world of Omar Bongo Profile: Omar Bongo
A statement from the Gabonese presidency said:
"The presidency of the Gabonese Republic would like to stress that the President of the Republic, the Head of State, His Excellency Omar Bongo is not dead. He is continuing his holiday in Spain following his check-up at the Quiron Clinic in Barcelona."
"The family has been visiting him this morning," Mr Ndong told reporters on Monday.
The premier, speaking at the clinic where Mr Bongo is being treated, reportedly for cancer, criticised media reports of the veteran leader's death.
Earlier, the prime minister had responded to the reports by telling Gabonese TV: "If such a situation comes about, I would think that the president's family would naturally get in touch with me."
The Spanish foreign affairs ministry backed Mr Ndong's assertion, saying: "We have confirmed that he [President Bongo] is alive. We have no further information about him."
But later on Monday, reports in the Spanish media said Mr Bongo had died shortly after Mr Ndong's news conference. They quoted members of Mr Bongo's entourage as saying the African leader had died at 1200GMT.
The clinic and the Spanish government refused to comment on the latest reports.
Mr Bongo became vice-president in 1967, taking over as head of state later that year after the death of Gabon's first post-independence President, Leon Mba.Mr Bongo became vice-president in 1967, taking over as head of state later that year after the death of Gabon's first post-independence President, Leon Mba.
Oil earnings mean that Gabon, with a population of just 1.4 million, is officially one of Africa's richest states but analysts say that the political elite keep most of the money for themselves.
Mr Bongo is one of three African leaders being investigated for alleged embezzlement by a French judge - the others are Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.Mr Bongo is one of three African leaders being investigated for alleged embezzlement by a French judge - the others are Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
It is alleged that the properties owned by Mr Bongo's family in France could not have been purchased with official salaries alone.It is alleged that the properties owned by Mr Bongo's family in France could not have been purchased with official salaries alone.
Mr Bongo denied any wrongdoing.Mr Bongo denied any wrongdoing.
Analyst say he has built a powerful dynasty in the former French colony during his years in office. Analyst say he has built a powerful dynasty during his years in office.
Opposition leaders have claimed his son, Ali-Ben Bongo, currently defence minister, is being manoeuvred to take over.Opposition leaders have claimed his son, Ali-Ben Bongo, currently defence minister, is being manoeuvred to take over.
In 1973, Mr Bongo converted to Islam, changing his name to El Hadj Omar Bongo. Born Albert Bernard Bongo, he converted to Islam in 1973 and changed his name to El Hadj Omar Bongo.
His wife, Edith Lucie Bongo, President Sassou-Nguesso's daughter, died in March 2009.His wife, Edith Lucie Bongo, President Sassou-Nguesso's daughter, died in March 2009.