16/03/2009 Cameroon is mourning. The country joins the people of Gabon and the entire continent to mourn the death of 45 year old Judith Lucie Bongo Ondimba who died last week-end in Morocco.

The news of the death of the Gabonese First Lady spread immediately after the Gabonese Presidency made the announcement.

President Paul Biya, on behalf of the Cameroonian People, has sent a message of condolences to Omar Bongo and all the people of Gabon. In the message, Paul Biya expressed heartfelt condolences describing Edith‘s death as a great loss.

Mrs Edith Bongo died on Saturday 14th March 2009 after a long illness in Morocco. She was born on 10th March 1964; married to the Gabonese leader in 1990.

As first lady, Edith Bongo rallied other African First Ladies around a forum for the fight against AIDS in the continent.

She also carried out a number of actions to assist vulnerable children and the handicapped.

Edith, the eldest daughter of President Denis Sassou Nguessou of Congo was a trained pediatrician.

Pamela Bidjocka, Editor (CRTV)