Ex-Gabonese President Ali Bongo Leaves Country for Angola as Family Freed Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Ex-Gabonese President Ali Bongo Leaves Country for Angola as Family Freed Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was ousted in a military coup in August 2023, has left the country and is now in Luanda, Angola, according to a statement released by the Angolan presidency. He is accompanied by his wife, Sylvia Bongo, and son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who were released from detention earlier this week.

The Bongo family’s lawyer, François Zimeray, welcomed their release, condemning what he described as their “arbitrary and cruel imprisonment.” Zimeray alleged that Sylvia and Noureddin had been tortured during their incarceration, held in underground cells without due process. Gabonese authorities have denied any mistreatment, stating that their detention followed legal procedures. Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo were arrested in 2023 on corruption charges, including embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and forgery. Prosecutor Eddy Minang confirmed that their release is provisional, citing health concerns, and emphasized that legal proceedings are still ongoing.

Ali Bongo ruled Gabon for 14 years, succeeding his father Omar Bongo, who governed the oil-rich Central African nation for over four decades. Despite the country’s significant oil wealth, one-third of Gabon’s population lives below the poverty line, according to the United Nations. Following the 2023 coup led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, Bongo was placed under house arrest, though authorities claimed he was free to move. Oligui later secured a sweeping electoral victory and now serves as president.

The Bongo family’s departure follows a diplomatic visit by Angolan President João Lourenço, who also serves as African Union (AU) chairperson. His visit to Libreville reportedly played a role in negotiating the Bongos’ release. The AU readmitted Gabon into the continental bloc in late April, lifting its suspension after the military takeover. AU chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf hailed Gabon’s return as a model for “constitutional restoration,” contrasting it with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military regimes have resisted international pressure to return power to civilian rule.

Opposition leader Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze accused President Oligui Nguema of yielding to external pressure, describing the detentions as an abuse of power.

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