Latest news with #AliBongoOndimba
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Gabon's ousted leader and family released from detention
Ali Bongo Ondimba had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since 2023. (EPA Images pic) LUANDA : Gabon's former leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was detained after being ousted in a 2023 coup, has been released and has arrived in Luanda with his family, Angola's presidency said today. Bongo, whose family ruled Gabon for 55 years, had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since being overthrown in August 2023. His wife and son had also been in detention, accused of embezzling public funds. A statement on the Angolan presidency's Facebook page announcing the arrival of the Bongo family in Luanda was accompanied by photographs showing the former leader being welcomed at an airport. The 'Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda', it said. The release of the family followed talks between Angola President Joao Lourenco and Gabon's new leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the statement said, without giving details. Oligui, a former junta leader, seized power in the oil-rich country in the August 2023 coup that ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo dynasty. The general was sworn in earlier this month after winning 94.85% in an April 12 vote in which international observers signalled no major irregularities. Oligui's main rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who was the last prime minister under Bongo, said the family's release demonstrated that their detention 'did not respect the framework of law and justice'. 'President Oligui Nguema did not show clemency: he had to bow to international demands after what everyone understood to be an abuse of power,' he said. Lawyers for Bongo's French-born wife Sylvia, 62, and son Noureddin, 33, alleged they suffered torture while in detention. Several Gabonese media reported recently that they had been moved from cells in an annex of the presidency to a family residence in Libreville. Member of the transitional parliament, Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka, said the move of the family 'in the middle of the night and in total silence' was 'a real disgrace for the first days' of the new government. 'Where is Gabon's sovereignty?' he asked on social media, charging the Bongo family's release was 'the price to pay' for Gabon's reintegration into the African Union, which is currently headed by Lourenco. The African Union announced on April 30 that it had lifted sanctions against Gabon, which was suspended from the organisation following the coup. The country of 2.3 million people has endured high unemployment, regular power and water shortages, and heavy government debt despite its oil wealth. The Gabon presidency announced on social media on May 12 that Lourenco had met Oligui in Libreville for talks focused 'on strengthening bilateral cooperation, the smooth running of democratic elections marking the end of the transition in Gabon'. They also discussed the lifting of sanctions following Gabon's reintegration into the AU. The 66-year-old Bongo, who is suspected to be in poor health, came to power in 2009, taking over from his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled for 41 years. In 2016, he was narrowly re-elected for a second term by a few thousand votes, beating opposition challenger Jean Ping after a campaign marred by bloody clashes and allegations of fraud. He suffered a stroke in October 2018 while on a visit to Saudi Arabia and there was speculation about his health and fitness to govern when he returned home. His public appearances were rare, and the times when he spoke live outside the confines of the presidential palace were rarer still. Bongo ruled for 14 years until he was overthrown moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election the army and opposition declared fraudulent.
France 24
16-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Gabon's ousted Ali Bongo released from detention
Afrique 09:58 Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family have left Gabon and flown to Angola after being released from custody. It follows a series of events stemming from the August 2023 military coup that ended the Bongo family's 56-year rule. Bongo was detained, along with this wife and son, accused of embezzling public funds. Also in the programme, Ghana has begun a crackdown on minors who are trafficked into the country from neighbouring countries. Coming from Chad, Niger and Nigeria, the children become beggars on the streets of Accra. Ghanaian immigration authorities say they will be returned to their individual countries. And we take a look at Nigeria's Egungun festival, celebrated by the Yoruba people. It's about the spirit of ancestors making themselves visible to the world of mortals, with colourfully clad masquerades, traditional dances and vibrant costumes.
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Overthrown Gabon President Bongo and his family arrive in Angola, officials say
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The former president of Gabon, who was ousted in a 2023 coup, has been allowed to leave the country and has flown to Angola with his family, the Angolan leader's office said Friday. The Angolan presidency posted photos on its official Facebook page of Ali Bongo Ondimba arriving in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
Washington Post
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Gabon will hold its first presidential election since the 2023 military coup
DAKAR, Senegal — The oil-rich central African nation of Gabon on Saturday will hold its first presidential election since a 2023 military coup ended a political dynasty which lasted over 50 years. The interim president, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, led the coup that toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who many Gabonese accused of irresponsible governance .
Washington Post
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Gabon's military leader announces he will run in April presidential election
LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Gabon's military leader announced Monday that he would run as a candidate in the oil-rich central African nation's presidential election set for April 12. Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who is interim president, led a 2023 military coup that toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who many Gabonese accused of irresponsible governance and major embezzlement that risked leading the country into chaos.
