President Ali Bongo of poverty-stricken Gabon splashes $123m on Paris home May 31, 2010

 The president of the poverty-ravaged African state of Gabon has been slammed for spending $123million on a lavish townhouse in Paris.

Ali-Ben Bongo Ondimba, 51, has bought a sprawling 48,000 sq ft mansion on an acre of land in the heart of the French capital.

The 14-bedroom property on the upmarket rue de l'Universite also includes a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, seven parking spaces and a tennis court.

In Gabon – where the average income is just $17 a day – most families live in one-room shacks.

Although the west African state is one of the continent's more prosperous nations due to its oil reserves, most of the population still live in poverty.

Gabon's opposition website, Bongo Must Quit, said: 'The president has squandered tens of millions by claiming this new mansion will serve to reduce the hotel costs for Ali-Ben Bongo and his official delegations.