After a recent meeting between Angolan President João Lourenço and Gabon’s current leader, Bongo and his family were freed amid ongoing corruption allegations as they transition into a new chapter post-coup.
Ali Bongo and Family Depart Gabon After Release from Detention
Ali Bongo and Family Depart Gabon After Release from Detention
Former Gabonese president Ali Bongo, recently ousted, has arrived in Angola with his family, following their release after two years of detention.
Ali Bongo, the former president of Gabon, has fled to Angola following the lifting of detention orders against him and his family. Announced by the Angolan presidency, Bongo’s new life in Luanda marks a significant change after his ousting in a coup earlier this year. Accompanying him are his wife Sylvia and their son Noureddin, who were previously imprisoned on corruption charges.
Their detention had drawn considerable attention, with Sylvia Bongo's lawyer arguing that her imprisonment was unjust. Bongo's family had maintained a controversial legacy during his 14 years in power, facing accusations of corruption and embezzlement, which they have vehemently denied.
The release of the Bongo family coincided with recent diplomatic efforts by Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been actively engaging with Gabon's current leadership, following a successful coup in 2023 led by former general Brice Oligui Nguema. Meanwhile, Gabonese prosecutor Eddy Minang warned that while the Bongo family has been released, the legal proceedings against them will continue, citing concerns over their health as a contributing factor to their provisional release.
In response to their liberation, opposition leader Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze suggested that the current president capitulated to international pressure, amplifying calls for accountability. The Bongo family's rule has long been a point of contention, as they have been accused of exploiting the nation’s oil wealth while a significant portion of its population remains impoverished.
As Gabon begins to take strides toward re-establishing its relationship with the African Union, recently readmitted after a suspension due to the coup, the hopes for political stability remain high. The chairman of the AU expressed optimism that Gabon's experience could catalyze renewed efforts for constitutional restoration across Africa, although pressures still mount from military leaders in neighboring countries resisting similar changes.
