Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo suffers Stroke – Vice President

Gabon’s President Ali Bongo, has suffered a stroke, his vice president said, providing the first official details of his illness. The 59-year-old leader left hospital in Morocco earlier this month. And is recovering at a private residence in the capital Rabat after weeks of silence about his condition.

Vice President Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou said Bongo had suffered a cerebrovascular accident or CVA. Commonly known as a stroke.

“Nobody should rejoice over the death or illness of another, those who have never known a CVA, pray to God that they never know one,” Moussavou said in a speech in Franceville in the south of the country.

“I would not wish it, on anyone nor even my worst enemy.”

Inadequate details from the presidency after Bongo fell ill at an economic forum in Saudi Arabia on October 24 sparked speculation. That the Gabonese leader was incapacitated or even dead. A photograph of Bongo and two videos without sound have been published since his arrival in Morocco.

Further fuelling rumours about his state of health. The Bongo family has governed the oil-rich equatorial African nation for five decades and long maintained close ties with former colonial master France.