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Gabon’s deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba has announced his retirement from politics. Bongo called for the release of his family members, who he describes as collateral following his ouster by the military in August 2023.
In the letter, the deposed president mentioned that the evening of August 29, 2023 ended his term as head of state in painful circumstances. These events brought to power a transitional system, which, in the coming months, will face the ballot box and the vote to set our country on a new path.
Bongo further said that he had what was needed to change Gabon, but a system ultimately turned against his family, which he describes as a symbol of an era.
The former president added that his family members, who he termed “helpless scapegoats”, are being subjected to mistreatment by the military government.
In his passionate appeal, the former head of state said: “Because our country is, has always been and will always be a country of honour, I call for appeasement, for an end to the violence and torture against my family, particularly my wife Sylvia and my son Noureddin and for their release, because they have been imprisoned for too long now for acts of which they have not been found guilty, scapegoats for a situation that goes far beyond their person.
Bongo further said that he underwent many trials on them throughout their lives through his choices. But their imprisonment and the abuse they have suffered for over a year go far beyond anything a wife and son have to endure.
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The deposed President had ruled Gabon for nearly 14 years – from 2009 to 2023, while his father, Omar Bongo, had ruled Gabon for nearly 42 years – from 1967 to 2009. Ali Bongo was ousted through a military coup in late August 2023 after controversially being declared the winner of that month’s presidential election. His distant cousin, General Brice Oligui Nguema, was installed as Gabon’s transitional president. Upon seizing power, the Gabonese transitional government promised to hold free elections in August 2025.
