Gabon leader Omar Bongo 'is dead'

Africa's longest-serving leader, President Omar Bongo of Gabon, has died at the age of 73, French media say.

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.

Mr Bongo had led his oil-producing West African state since 1967.

In May, a French judge announced an investigation into whether Mr Bongo had used state funds to buy homes and cars in France - a claim denied by Mr Bongo.

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.

There has been no official confirmation so far.

'Powerful dynasty'

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 was 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.

Mr Bongo had denied any wrongdoing.

Analyst say he had built a powerful dynasty in the former French colony during his years in office.

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.

His wife, Edith Lucie Bongo, President Sassou-Nguesso's daughter, died in March 2009.

tunku:

Not develop enough for its leader to trust its medical institutions with his life. So can we expect Yar'dua to die in Germany?

davidylan:

Anytime soon.

tunku:

Not develop enough for its leader to trust its medical institutions with his life. So can we expect Yar'dua to die in Germany?

Tayo-D:

Why should he?  Even Abacha did not trust his amorous satisfaction to Nigerian Prostitutes.  He had to import from India (so the rumours go)! 

mikeansy:

when will Yar'adua follow suit in Germany?

davidylan:

another thief bites the dust.

tunku:

Not develop enough for its leader to trust its medical institutions with his life.  So can we expect Yar'dua to die in Germany? 

mikeansy:

when will Yar'adua follow suit in Germany?

btw Gabon is one of the most developed countries in Africa.

Africa shall survive her second colonization and bondage from greedy, mediocre, and myopic leaders.
Check for the leaders we're happy to get rid of, and Waiting for rest.

Mobutu Sese Sekou----------- Check Cheesy
Ibrahim Babangida------------- Waiting Shocked
al-Bashir---------------------------Waiting Angry
Sani Abacha-----------------------Check Tongue
Momar Gadaffi---------------------Waiting Cool
Omar Bongo------------------------Check Cool
Hosni Mubarak----------------------Waiting Cry

IFELEKE:

and he died leaving his son to continue where he stopped. . .

Hopefully,Gadaffi,Mugabe,Wade,Kibaki and our own yar'adua will follow soon. . .

Haba, dont go wishing death on people!