Gabon: former president Ali Bongo and family go into exile in Angola
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After 19 months of detention following a military coup, Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo and his family have gone into exile in Angola under a deal brokered by Angolan President João Lourenço.
Former Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family have officially gone into exile in Angola, marking the end of a 19-month period of detention in the capital, Libreville, following the military coup that removed him from power in August 2023.
Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 14 years after succeeding his father Omar Bongo — the patriarch of a family that had held power for more than five decades — was ousted in a coup led by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema shortly after contested general elections. The military accused his government of election rigging and widespread corruption, detaining Bongo and several of his close family members and allies.
The former president spent the months that followed under house arrest, while his wife, Sylvia Bongo, and their son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, were imprisoned on charges of embezzlement and money laundering. Just five days after Sylvia and Noureddin were transferred from prison to house arrest, the entire Bongo family departed for Angola.
Their exile was made possible through diplomatic efforts led by Angolan President João Lourenço. According to a statement posted by Angola’s presidency on Facebook, the arrangement was the outcome of discussions between Lourenço and General Oligui Nguema, now Gabon’s transitional president. The visit aimed to reset diplomatic relations between the two countries, which had cooled during Gabon’s post-coup transition.
Lourenço, who currently serves as the chair of the African Union, had been among those calling for the humane treatment and release of the Bongo family. His visit to Libreville earlier this week culminated in the final agreement that allowed the former first family to leave Gabon.
While the details of the agreement remain confidential, the move appears to be an effort to stabilize the political climate in Gabon, where the coup has drawn both condemnation and cautious support from various regional players. Gabon’s transitional government has promised democratic reforms and a roadmap to elections, but critics remain wary of military rule.
The exile of the Bongos could mark a turning point in that transition. “This move helps turn the page on decades of dynastic rule and opens space for political restructuring,” said a regional analyst who declined to be named.
Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo still face legal proceedings in Gabon. However, their release to house arrest and eventual departure suggest that negotiations may continue regarding the charges. Their lawyers have consistently raised concerns about their health and the conditions of their detention.
While in power, the Bongo family was frequently criticized for accumulating vast wealth while large portions of the population remained in poverty. The coup, although condemned by some in the international community for bypassing constitutional norms, was welcomed by segments of the Gabonese public who viewed it as a long-overdue end to authoritarianism and corruption.
General Oligui Nguema, who once served as a close ally of the Bongo regime before turning against it, has pledged to root out corruption and rebuild trust in public institutions. He was declared the winner of a presidential election held last month, solidifying his grip on power.
Ali Bongo, 65, suffered a stroke in 2018, which weakened his leadership and led to growing discontent with his administration. His deteriorating health and alleged manipulation of election results in 2023 were the final triggers for the coup.
As of now, the Bongo family’s future in Angola remains uncertain. It is not clear if they will be granted permanent residency or whether Angola is merely a temporary stop as part of a broader asylum arrangement.
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