Léon M'ba

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Gabriel Léon M'ba
Léon M'ba

In office
February 12, 1961 – November 27, 1967
Preceded by None (position first established)
Succeeded by Omar Bongo

In office
27 February 1959 – 21 February 1961
Preceded by None (position first established)
Succeeded by None (position abolished)

Born February 9, 1902(1902-02-09)
Libreville, Gabon
Died November 27, 1967 (aged 65)
Paris, France
Nationality Gabonian
Political party Comité Mixte Gabonais, Bloc Démocratique Gabonais

Gabriel Léon M'ba (February 9, 1902 in Libreville - November 28, 1967 in Paris) was the first President of Gabon (1960 - 1967). The surname is also written 'M'Ba' and 'Mba'.

He was a member of the Fang people ethnic group. He was prime minister from May 21, 1957 to February 21, 1961 and became president upon independence from France on August 17, 1960. He was briefly toppled by a military coup d'etat in February 1964, and Jean-Hilaire Aubame was installed as president, but was restored within days through French intervention.

M'ba was reelected in March 1967, but died in November of that year and was succeeded by his vice president, Albert-Bernard Bongo (now Omar Bongo Ondimba).

Gabon's main airport, the Leon M'ba International Airport, is named for him. On November 27, 2007 President Bongo Ondimba attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly built Mausoleum for M'ba in Libreville.

Preceded by
(none)
President of Gabon
1960–1967
Succeeded by
Omar Bongo Ondimba