VP says Gabonese president suffered a stroke

A handout from the Moroccan Royal Palace of King Mohamed VI (L) with Gabon's President Ali Bongo at the military hospital in the capital Rabat on December 3, 2018. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gabon's President Ali Bongo, out of the country since falling ill in October, 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.