Gabon's president has denied allegations of using a body double, with his spokesman confirming the 60-year-old leader has been physically present since suffering a stroke in October.
Ike Ngouoni, the president's spokesperson, addressed rumors of a lookalike during a news conference, stating, "There's no body double. The president is indeed there. He's the one on the job." The statement followed his second public appearance since falling ill.
Ngouoni emphasized there was "no reason to be concerned" about Ali Bongo's health, though he acknowledged "adjustments have been made for the head of state, who has gone through an unusual time." The president has been recovering in Morocco since his October illness, returning to Gabon only twice for brief stays.
A January coup attempt by military rebels in Morocco further fueled speculation about Bongo's condition. Despite the absence, the president recently led a cabinet meeting and conducted a public drive through Libreville, with Ngouoni asserting, "The president was there in flesh and blood. He went around the city... a lot of people can attest to that." No official timeline has been provided for his permanent return to Gabon.
