By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Gabon’s former leader, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was ousted in a 2023 military coup and placed under house arrest along with his family, has been released.
Following his release, Bongo, whose family ruled Gabon for 55 years, fled the Central African country and arrived in Luanda, the Angolan presidency announced on Friday.
He had been under house arrest in the capital, Libreville, since his removal from office in 2023. He arrived in Angola along with his wife, Sylvia Bongo, and their son, Noureddin.
Bongo’s release follows negotiations between Angola’s leader, João Lourenço, and Gabon’s new leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the 2023 coup that ousted Bongo.
A statement on the Angolan presidency’s Facebook page announcing the Bongo family’s arrival in Luanda was accompanied by photographs showing the former leader being welcomed at the airport.
“The Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda,” the statement said.
Earlier in the week, his wife Sylvia, 62, and son Noureddin, 33, were transferred from prison to house arrest. Both had been detained shortly after the coup and accused of embezzlement and money laundering.
Ali Bongo, 66, was initially placed under house arrest following the coup but was later declared free to move. However, his allies disputed this, noting that he had not left Libreville until now.
According to sources, the family departed Gabon shortly before midnight on Thursday.
Nguema, a former ally of Bongo, was elected president of the oil-rich nation in April with nearly 95 percent of the vote.
He led the August 2023 coup that ended the Bongo dynasty’s 55-year rule and was sworn in as a civilian leader in early May.
The African Union, which suspended Gabon’s membership after the coup, re-admitted the country on 30 April.
The Union’s Peace and Security Council has called for the immediate release of the Bongo family and for assurances that their rights and well-being will be respected.
