Africa's Longest Serving leader Dead at 73

[MwanaHabari]

(CNN) — Gabon’s President Omar Bongo — Africa’s longest-serving ruler — has died after a battle with cancer, the country’s official news agency reported Sunday. He was 73.

Bongo took power in 1967, seven years after the West African country’s independence from France. He had been receiving treatment for intestinal cancer at the Quiron clinic in Barcelona, Spain, the state news agency GNA reported.

Bongo imposed one-party rule a year after succeeding the country’s first president, who died in office. He allowed multiparty elections after a new constitution in 1991, but his party has retained control of the government since then.

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

The end of an era for Africa is slowly but surely coming to an end. Some of them ruled not knowing that one day every soul will face death. R.I.P. Bongo, praying that your death that not drive your country into conflict. I heard the man had already prepared his son to succeed him, mh mambo ya dynasties the Kiafrika. Ngoja tuone ita kuaje.

 

[Abdulhalim]

Aaah huyu bosi anasifika kwa vimwana na kukwiba fedha wavuja jasho na kuzihamishia ng'ambo, ni dizaini ileile ya Mobutu na Abacha.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Gabon leader Omar Bongo 'is dead'

Omar Bongo embodied the close ties between France and its former colonies

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. There is no official confirmation of the reported death. Gabon's prime minister said he was "not aware" of it.

Mr Bongo has led the oil-producing state since 1967, and faces a French inquiry into corruption allegations.

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. But later Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong told Gabonese TV that he had been "very surprised" to read the reports.

"If such a situation comes about, I would think that the president's family would naturally get in touch with me," he said.

'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 is 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 denied any wrongdoing.

Analyst say he has 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.


BBC NEWS | Africa | Gabon leader Omar Bongo 'is dead'

 

[Mwawado]

Kuna kila dalili kuwa Mtoto wake Mkubwa wa Kiume Ali Ben Bongo atachukua nafasi hiyo ya Urais..Mtoto huyo hivi sasa ni Waziri wa Ulinzi na amekuwepo kwenye nafasi hiyo kwa makusudi ya kuja kumrithi baba yake..kabla ya hapo alikuwa waziri wa mambo ya Nje toka 1989, Dada yake Waziri Ali ni Katibu Mkuu katika Baraza la Mawaziri Nchini Gabon.

 

[Abdulhalim]

In 1973, Mr Bongo converted to Islam, changing his name to El Hadj Omar Bongo.

Wadau wanasema jamaa ali-convert baada ya kuona ka-moja hakatoshi..lakini kumbe hakujua kuwa ukitenda dhambi ya kula nyama za watu hutoacha.

Jamaa inasemekana alikuwa aki-import warembo kutoka France wanatua kwa ndege, maafisa wa Ikulu wanampokea anapelekwa kwenye mojawapo ya makasri ya mfalme Bongo halafu anakuja kujisevia..

Kuna kadhia moja ilitokea kuna mrembo hawa mamiss kutoka mojawapo ya nchi za South America alialikwa kwenye shughuli za kijamii Gabon.Alipotua tu maafisa wa Bongo wakamchukua fastafasta kumbe ilikuwa mistaken identity. Ilikuwa kashfa sana kwa waafrika.

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Wadau wanasema jamaa ali-convert baada ya kuona ka-moja hakatoshi..lakini kumbe hakujua kuwa ukitenda dhambi ya kula nyama za watu hutoacha.

Jamaa inasemekana alikuwa aki-import warembo kutoka France wanatua kwa ndege, maafisa wa Ikulu wanampokea anapelekwa kwenye mojawapo ya makasri ya mfalme Bongo halafu anakuja kujisevia..

Kuna kadhia moja ilitokea kuna mrembo hawa mamiss kutoka mojawapo ya nchi za South America alialikwa kwenye shughuli za kijamii Gabon.Alipotua tu maafisa wa Bongo wakamchukua fastafasta kumbe ilikuwa mistaken identity. Ilikuwa kashfa sana kwa waafrika.

I remember scandal ya huyo miss. It made some world wide coverage. Hivi huyo mrembo alimshtaki bwana Bongo au she just let it go? Na hivi alikuwa hana mke/wake au ndiyo hivyo tena uzinzi uli kuwa part ya character zake?

 

[Bongolander]

Baada ya kuugua kwa muda mrefu, baada ya mke wake aliyekuwa binti wa dikteta Dennis sassou Nguesso kufariki, baada ya vimada wake kadhaa kufariki dunia, hatimaye mmoja wa marais aliyekaaa madarakani kwa muda mrefu ameaga dunia. More news to come, especially on legacy he left behind. Sorry, the heading should be ONDIMBA not MBASONGO.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Kuna kila dalili kuwa Mtoto wake Mkubwa wa Kiume Ali Ben Bongo atachukua nafasi hiyo ya Urais..Mtoto huyo hivi sasa ni Waziri wa Ulinzi na amekuwepo kwenye nafasi hiyo kwa makusudi ya kuja kumrithi baba yake..kabla ya hapo alikuwa waziri wa mambo ya Nje toka 1989, Dada yake Waziri Ali ni Katibu Mkuu katika Baraza la Mawaziri Nchini Gabon.

Hii nchi nd'o inazidi kulosti tu sasa.Akichukua huyo mwanae bila
kanuni maalum za kikatiba nd'o itakua ishatoka hio.Mungu kweli
aturehemu.

Alafu naona Omar Bongo alikua amemuoa mtoto wa yule fisadi
mwenzie, Sassou Nguesso.Kweli birds of a feather flock together.

 

[SYLLOGIST!]

The end of an era for Africa is slowly but surely coming to an end. Some of them ruled not knowing that one day every soul will face death. R.I.P. Bongo, praying that your death that not drive your country into conflict. I heard the man had already prepared his son to succeed him, mh mambo ya dynasties the Kiafrika. Ngoja tuone ita kuaje.

Samahani Mkuu,


"The end of an era for Africa"

Una maana ya Jadi zetu?
Ahsante

 

[Pascal Mayalla]

Jamaa alikuwa anapendwa kama Mungu, mwaka juzi wakati wa mkutano wa UNDP kuhusu uwezo wa nchi za kiafrika kujiletea Maendeleo Uagadougou, Burkina Faso, Bongo alitinga mkutatoni na mwanae wa kiume na kimwana cha kufa mtu.Tanzania iliwakilishwa na Waziri Ghasia, alipokuwa anatoa vote of thanks, jicho la Bongo halikugeuka mpaka akasindikiza kwa shingo!.
Lengo ni kuwajulisha wengine kuwa umri sio hoja, anazimiwa na vibinti vidogo vya kufa mtu akijua ndio kuuthibitishia umma kuwa yeye bado ni kijana na ana mvuto.

Tabia za Mzee huyu na vimwana haina tofauti na ya Mzee wetu mheshimiwa sana, kupiga mapicha ya mapozi na kabinti na kujidai zimeleek kwenye media lengo likiwa kuuthibitishia umma bado ana mvuto, na kawapiga mweleka vijana kama kina Lau katika kasi za kukimbizia vidosho.
RIP Omar Bongo.

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Samahani Mkuu,


"The end of an era for Africa"

Una maana ya Jadi zetu?
Ahsante

Hapana mkuu. Namaanisha hawa wakulu wetu walio chukua madaraka miaka ile ya kugombea uhuru. Meaning leaders of the independence struggle era. Viongozi wengi walio pigania uhuru sasa hivi wengi washa zeeka sana au ndiyo wana tutoka.

 

[Kyakya]

baada ya kuugua kwa muda mrefu, baada ya mke wake aliyekuwa binti wa dikteta dennis sassou nguesso kufariki, baada ya vimada wake kadhaa kufariki dunia, hatimaye mmoja wa marais aliyekaaa madarakani kwa muda mrefu ameaga dunia. More news to come, especially on legacy he left behind. Sorry, the heading should be ondimba not mbasongo.

good riddance

 

[Nasolwa]

Kila nafsi itaonja mauti. R.I.P kingunge wa miaka 42 ya ufisadi nchini Gabon!!-Omari Bongo

 

[MzalendoHalisi]

Alikufa kwa mdudu nini? Maana hata Mke wake alikufa hivi majuzi na chanzo cha kifo chake hakikutajwa!

 

[WembeMkali]

The end of an era for Africa is slowly but surely coming to an end. Some of them ruled not knowing that one day every soul will face death. R.I.P. Bongo, praying that your death that not drive your country into conflict. I heard the man had already prepared his son to succeed him, mh mambo ya dynasties the Kiafrika. Ngoja tuone ita kuaje.

Nakwambia Afrika kweli moto! Bado wapo wengi tu kuna wa kule Uganda naye yupo madarakani tangu 1986! Yule wa Libya ndiyo usiseme! wa Angola naye sijui tangu 1979! wa Equitorial Guinea(Obiang Nguema) naye tangu 1979! wa Cameron(Paul Biya) naye tangu 1982!! wa Egypt(Bw.Mubarak) naye tangu 1981!! wa Bukina Faso(Bw.Compaore) naye tangu 1987! wa Sudan(Bw.Bashir) naye tangu 1989! wa Tunisia(Bw.Ben Ali) naye tangu 1987! na Mugabe naye bado yupo tangu 1980! wa Rwanda naye nasikia atajipendelea mpaka 2017! wa kwetu Darisalama ni mpaka miaka kumi ishie ndiyo aje mpya!!
Sasa mkulu hebu niambie maendeleo yatakujaje Afrika kama viongozi wenyewe ndiyo hawa!!!!!..
Nadhani kuna wakati Afrika itabidi tufuate Somalia model..hakuna cha Rais wala nini.. mnakuwa na Clan yenu tu na mipaka yenu na mambo mengine yanaendelea kama kawa!

 

[Sikonge]

Baada ya kuugua kwa muda mrefu, baada ya mke wake aliyekuwa binti wa dikteta Dennis sassou Nguesso kufariki, baada ya vimada wake kadhaa kufariki dunia, hatimaye mmoja wa marais aliyekaaa madarakani kwa muda mrefu ameaga dunia. More news to come, especially on legacy he left behind. Sorry, the heading should be ONDIMBA not MBASONGO.

Sunday 15 March 2009
AFP - The wife of Gabon's President Omar Bongo, Africa's longest serving head of state, died Saturday after a long illness in Morocco at the age of 45, the presidency announced.

Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba, the eldest daughter of President Denis Sassou Nguessou of Congo, died at 1620 GMT in Rabat, Morocco where she had been undergoing treatment for several months.

It did not specify the cause of death or the nature of her illness.

The first lady, known for her elegance and her commitment to fighting AIDS, had not appeared in public for around three years. She was a trained paediatrician.

Edith Bongo, born on March 10 1964, married the veteran Gabonese leader in 1990, becoming his second wife. Bongo's first spouse, Josephine Nkama, pursued a career as a singer before returning to Gabon after several years abroad.

The Gabonese first lady helped create a forum roping in African first ladies to fight AIDS, one of the continent's scourges. She was also instrumental in founding associations for vulnerable children and the handicapped.

Bongolander;

Imebidi ni-log in kuulizia hili swala. Huwezi amini kuwa juzi tu nilikuwa naangalia video kwenye YOUTUBE na kukutana na mkusanyiko wa wanamuziki kibao wa Congo wakivuka kutoka Kinshasa kwenda Brazaville na kwa sababu sifahamu Kifaransa, nikaja baadaye kugundua kuwa walikuwa wameenda kwenye mazishi ya Edith Bongo. Hapo nikajua kwa nini kwenye wimbo mmoja wa JB Mpiana anaimba "mama Editha..." Inaonekana alikuwa karibu sana na hawa wanamuziki, hadi Koffi akamwimbia wimbo.

Ila huwezi amini kuwa nilipomuonyesha wife wangu juu ya umri na historia ya mume wake, akasema "....hiyo ni AIDS nini?" Sikutaka sana kuamini kuwa atakuwa mdudu. Ila kuona kifo cha mumewe, tena na yeye baada ya kuuguwa kwa muda mrefu, inaanza kuleta wasiwasi. Ila kwenda kutibiwa nje si ni kuvujisha tu siri? Heri angejenga hospital ya kufa mtu hapo Gabon na awe anatibiwa na watu wake wa kuaminika na kutunza siri. Anyway, ukweli utafumuka sasa hivi juu ya kisa hasa cha vifo vya hawa wawili ambao naona wamepishana miezi 3 tu.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Alikufa kwa mdudu nini? Maana hata Mke wake alikufa hivi majuzi na chanzo cha kifo chake hakikutajwa!

Mzalendohalisi,

Watu naona wanaanza kuelekea huko kama chanzo cha kifo.
Mzee mwenyewe si inasemekane alikua 'hapishi'! Mungu na
aturehemu.

 

[MzalendoHalisi]

Hivi duniani yupo Raisi mwingine yoyote aliyekufa kwa AIDS?

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Hivi duniani yupo Raisi mwingine yoyote aliyekufa kwa AIDS?

Kama yupo basi hawajasema.