Gabon Ousted President Ali Bongo Released, Allowed To Seek Medical Treatment Abroad

Former Gabonese President, Ali Bongo has been released from house arrest, eight days after he was outed out of power by the country’s military junta.

KanyiDaily recalls that Ali Bongo was disposed as president on the same morning that the electoral commission declared his re-election to a third term in office.

On Monday, Brice Nguema, an army general who led the coup and also Bongo’s cousin, was sworn in as interim president following the coup.

General Brice Nguema had previously served as a bodyguard to Bongo’s late father and headed the country’s elite republican guard military unit.

The statement confirming Bongo’s release from house arrest was signed by General Nguema, who cited the former president’s health condition.

Ulrich Manfoumbi, the military spokesperson, said in the statement read on national television on Wednesday evening, that Bongo is free to travel both within and outside the country for medical treatment.

“Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba has freedom of movement. He can travel abroad if he wishes to carry out his medical checks,” he said.

Ali Bongo succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2009. He suffered a serious stroke in October 2018 which left him physically impaired, with particular difficulty moving his right leg and arm.

The military junta has not yet outlined a specific transition plan for a return to civilian rule in the nation.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS Chairman, had expressed concern over the military coup in Gabon.