Africa's Longest Serving Ruler Dies

By Stephanie Gesselle
On Monday morning Africa’s longest serving ruler died. Gabon’s President Omar Bongo, the country’s prime minister suffered from cardiac arrest at a hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Bongo took office in 1967. This was seven years after the countries independence from France. He was the first to impose a one- party rule and later allowed multi party elections but retained control through his party. Bongo had been receiving treatment for intestinal cancer at the Quiron clinic in Barcelona. Earlier that morning officials refuted claims of Bongo’s death, however reports were passed later to Gabonese officials. A 30 day public mourning period is being honored in the country.