Omar Bongo, former president of Gabon is born

Born Alhaji Omar Bongo Ondimba, he was president of Gabon for 41 years, making him one of the longest serving non-monarch rulers in the world. In 1990, under intense pressure from its citizens, Gabon introduced a multiparty system; Ondimba had led the country under a one party system since he came into power in 1967. During his 41 years in office, he was implicated in a number of corruption scandals including embezzling state funds for his own personal gain. Bongo was a Muslim, having converted to the religion in 1973. He adopted the name “ Omar” soon after. He was married three times and was reported to have fathered about 30 children by the time of his death.