Gabonese Military Junta Frees Deposed President, Ali Bongo, Allows Him to Seek Medical Treatment Overseas

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In a recent development, the Gabonese military junta has released former President Ali Bongo from house arrest and authorized him to seek medical treatment overseas.

Bongo’s release comes eight days after he was removed from the presidency by the military.

Ali Bongo’s removal from office coincided with the electoral authority’s declaration of his third-term re-election.

Following his ousting, Army General Brice Nguema, who is also Bongo’s cousin, was inaugurated as the interim president. General Nguema played a central role in orchestrating the coup and has a history of serving as both a bodyguard to Bongo’s late father and the leader of Gabon’s elite military unit, the republican guard.

The official announcement of Ali Bongo’s release from house arrest was made by General Nguema himself.

The military spokesperson, Ulrich Manfoumbi, conveyed the statement on national television, stating that “Considering his health condition, the former President of the Republic, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is now at liberty to move around and, if he so chooses, he can travel abroad for medical examinations.”

Ali Bongo assumed the presidency following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2009. As of now, the military junta has not disclosed a concrete plan for the transition to civilian rule, leaving the political future of Gabon uncertain.