Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba has revealed that the country could join the Commonwealth during the upcoming summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

The president in a talk with the Commonwealth's Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, disclosed that the integration of Gabon into the Commonwealth "would be a historical milestone".

In a tweet, the president also noted that they shared many interests, including protecting the environment, sustainable development, climate and urban planning.

The Commonwealth describes itself as an association of 54 countries with shared goals such as development, democracy and peace.

It was initially for countries that had once been part of the British Empire but today any country can join.

The last country that joined was Rwanda in 2009.