Gabonese President, Ali Bongo
Gabon: Bongo ‘seriously ill but recovering’ says spokesman
After weeks of serious speculations over the state of health of Gabonese President, Ali Bongo, his spokesman, Ike Ngouoni has revealed that the president is actually seriously ill but recuperating.
Speculation has mounted on the health of President Bongo, 59, with some reports saying he suffered a stroke.
Over the weekend, a Gabonese newspaper was axed for three months for saying the country was on “autopilot” and that the prime minister should be appointed interim leader.
He is being treated in Saudi Arabia, with the initial announcement last month saying he was suffering fatigue.
Ngouoni said Bongo was “recovering all of his physical abilities”.
No mention was made of a stroke but the president had suffered “bleeding which required medical care”, Mr Ngouoni said.
Ali Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo as president in 2009, who governed the western African nation for more than 40 years.
Bongo narrowly won re-election in 2016 in a poll reportedly marred by violence and accusations of fraud.
Earlier this month, with President Bongo away in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Gabon’s opposition leader Jean Ping again claimed victory in the poll.