These are the main events in Gabon's history since Omar Bongo Ondimba came to power in 1967, seven years after independence: December 1967: Albert Bernard Bongo takes power after the death of Gabon's first president Leon Mba March 1968: Sets up Gabonese Democratic Party and embarks on single-party rule September 1973: Converts to Islam and takes the first name Omar October 1989: Announcement of foiled plot to assassinate Bongo 1990: Riots lead to switch to multi-party election: Bongo's GDP wins absolute parliamentary majority December 1993: Post-election violence after Bongo controversially re-elected president, beating opposition's Paul Mba Abessole October 1994: Paris accords end post-election conflict June 1996: Gabon quits Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) July 2003: Constitutional change allows president more than two mandates February 2004: Chinese leader Hun Jintao visits November 2005: Bongo controversially re-elected president with 79.18 percent of vote March 2006: Security forces occupy opposition UPG headquarters -- December: Crushing win for president's camp in legislative elections May 6, 2009: President Bongo suspends his activites after death of his wife -- May 21: Hospitalised in Barcelona, Spain, for 'health checks' -- June 8: Dies in Barcelona aged 73 