Guinea-Bissau's president is receiving medical treatment in Senegal, renewing concern about the ailing leader's health.

Officials confirmed to VOA Thursday that President Malam Bacai Sanha is being treated at a hospital in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

Mr. Sanha has made multiple trips to Senegal, France, and Portugal for medical care since taking office in September 2009.

Guinea-Bissau officials will not reveal what caused the latest hospitalization but expressed hope Thursday that the president will return home soon.

The 64-year-old Sanha is known to have diabetes, as well as trouble with hemoglobin levels in his blood. He missed official events in Guinea-Bissau this week before going to Dakar on Tuesday.

Mr. Sanha was elected in July 2009 to replace President Joao Bernardo Vieira, who was assassinated four months earlier.

Guinea-Bissau has a history of coup attempts and instability since winning independence from Portugal in 1975.