NEW : Defense Ministry closing all of the country 's ports after leader 's death . France took power in seven years , Earlier Monday after Bongo 's independence from France . At the time of his death , he was being treated in Spain for intestinal cancer . seven years , 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 1967 , seven 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 .