Igbo President In Gabon seriously ill, says Presidency

Gabon ’ s President Ali Bongo , hospitalised in Saudi Arabia on October 24 , is seriously ill but on the mend , the presidency said Sunday.

The 59 - year- old leader’s condition “has greatly improved” and he is in the process “of recovering most of his functions ,” Ike Ngouoni , the spokesman for the presidency , said.

Lack of official news — along with memories of the secrecy- shrouded death of Bongo ’s father Omar Bongo in office in 2009 after decades at the helm — has set the rumour mill churning about his health .

A foreign source close to Bongo and his French - born wife Sylvia told AFP on Wednesday that Bongo had had a stroke .

Bongo served as foreign and defence minister during his father ’s rule , and after his death was elected head of state in August 2009.

He was narrowly re -elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.

AFP .