Ali Bongo, the former president of Gabon, has left the country for Angola following his release from detainment amidst a backdrop of corruption allegations against his family.
Ali Bongo and Family Escape Detention, Seek Refuge in Angola
Ali Bongo and Family Escape Detention, Seek Refuge in Angola
Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, ousted in a 2023 coup, finds refuge in Angola alongside his family after their release from confinement.
Gabon’s former president, Ali Bongo, has been granted asylum in Angola after spending two years in custody following a coup that ousted him from power in 2023. His family, including his wife Sylvia and son Noureddin, who were previously imprisoned due to corruption charges, have also fled to Luanda. The announcement was made by the Angolan presidency via social media, confirming the family's relocation after a visit by Angolan President João Lourenço, who heads the African Union.
Despite facing serious allegations, including embezzlement and money laundering, Sylvia Bongo's lawyer has characterized her imprisonment as illegal, while the Gabonese prosecutor labeled the release as provisional due to health issues. During his 14-year presidency, Bongo's administration faced accusations of mismanagement and wealth accumulation amidst widespread poverty in Gabon. As the family arrives in Angola, the African Union has welcomed Gabon back into the fold, suspending its previous membership suspension post-coup. The developments signal a shift in Gabon's political landscape while raising questions about governance and power dynamics in West Africa.
