The Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda
Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, deposed in a 2023 military coup, has been released from house arrest and arrived in Luanda, Angola, alongside his family, Angola’s presidency announced Friday.
“The Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda,” read a statement on the presidency’s Facebook page, accompanied by images of Bongo being welcomed at the airport.
Bongo, who ruled for 14 years after succeeding his father Omar Bongo, had been detained in Libreville since August 2023. His wife, Sylvia, and son, Noureddin, were also held on embezzlement charges.
Their release reportedly followed talks between Angolan President Joao Lourenco and Gabon’s transitional leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema.
“President Oligui Nguema did not show clemency: he had to bow to international demands,” said opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze.
Critics, including MP Geoffroy Libeka, denounced the midnight release as “a real disgrace” and questioned Gabon’s sovereignty amid AU reintegration efforts.