Photo Credit: Getty Images
Ali Bongo, the former president of Gabon deposed in a 2023 military coup, has officially left the country and resurfaced in Angola. The Angolan presidency confirmed his arrival, noting that Bongo is now reunited with his family, who were also recently released from detention in Libreville. His wife, Sylvia, and son, Noureddin, had been imprisoned on corruption charges that include embezzlement and money laundering.
Though released, the two still face legal action, with Gabonese prosecutors emphasizing the provisional nature of their freedom, citing health concerns. Bongo, who took power in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo—a man who ruled Gabon for over four decades—found himself under house arrest after the coup. The military, led by Brice Oligui Nguema, claimed to have intervened in response to alleged governance failures and abuse of power.
President João Lourenço of Angola, who currently leads the African Union, played a mediating role with a diplomatic visit to Gabon. His involvement appears to have facilitated the Bongo family's release and may signify a softening of regional tensions. However, public opinion remains divided, with opposition figures accusing the new leadership of caving to international pressure rather than delivering justice.
The Bongo family's long grip on power was often criticized for enriching themselves while large segments of the population remained in poverty. Despite Gabon's oil wealth, a third of the country's citizens live below the poverty line. The situation raised alarms across Africa, prompting the AU to suspend Gabon's membership—a move reversed only recently.
As the legal drama continues, the Bongo saga remains a complex case of power, accountability, and the uncertain future of democracy in oil-rich nations.
