In a statement , Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong said Bongo suffered cardiac arrest at a hospital in Barcelona , Spain . ` NEW : Defense Ministry closing all of the country 's ports after leader 's death . Bongo took power in 1992 , two years after Gabon 's independence from France . At the time of his death , he was being treated in Spain for intestinal cancer . Earlier Monday , there had been conflicting reports about the state of Bongo 's health .
NEW : Defense Ministry closing all of the country 's ports after leader 's death . Bongo took power in 1992 , two years after Gabon 's independence from France . At the time of his death , he was being treated in Spain for intestinal cancer . Earlier Monday , there had been conflicting reports about the state of Bongo 's health .