Ousted Gabon President Ali Bongo Quits Politics, Urges Release of Detained Wife and Son

Former President Ali Bongo has officially announced his retirement from politics, a little over a year after being ousted by a military coup. The 65-year-old leader, who governed the oil-rich nation for over a decade, issued a heartfelt appeal to the Gabonese people, signaling the end of his political ambitions while pleading for the release of his wife and son, who are currently detained on corruption charges.

In a letter addressed to the people of Gabon, Bongo stated, “I wish to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition.” His statement marks the final chapter in a political career that spanned more than a decade as Gabon’s president, a role he assumed in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled the country for over 40 years. Bongo’s departure underscores the immense political changes the country has undergone since the coup last year.

Detention of Family Members

The former president’s appeal was not limited to his resignation from politics. He made a passionate plea for the release of his wife, Sylvia Bongo, and his son, Noureddin Bongo, both of whom remain in pre-trial detention on allegations of corruption. His wife faces charges of money laundering, forgery, and falsification of documents, while his son has been accused of embezzling public funds.

Bongo decried the treatment of his family, asserting that both his wife and son were being used as “helpless scapegoats” in the fallout from his ousting. “I also call for an end to the violence and torture being committed against my French-born wife and son. They should both be released,” Bongo urged in his letter. His wife’s lawyer, François Zimeray, had earlier criticized her detention, labeling it arbitrary and illegal.

It remains unclear whether Bongo’s statement follows any negotiations with Gabon’s military rulers, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema. There is speculation that his decision to retire from politics might be part of an effort to secure his family’s freedom, though no such arrangement has been confirmed by the ruling authorities.

Life Under Military Rule

Ali Bongo has been living under strict conditions since the military coup that toppled his government in August 2023, shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed presidential election. The army, led by Gen Nguema, seized power amidst widespread opposition claims of electoral fraud, triggering celebrations across the country. However, the coup was condemned by regional bodies and Gabon’s former colonial power, France.

Following the military takeover, Bongo was placed under house arrest, although he was released shortly afterward. Despite Gen Nguema’s earlier assurances that Bongo could leave the country, the former president claims that his movements remain restricted and that he is subject to daily surveillance. “My visits depend on the authorization of the military. I am isolated from the outside world without communications, without news of my family,” he said in the letter.

Legacy and Future of Gabon

Bongo’s presidency, marked by both achievements and criticisms, was overshadowed by a stroke he suffered in 2018. His deteriorating health raised concerns ahead of the 2023 election and became a focal point of opposition criticism. The Bongo family’s long reign was also tainted by accusations of corruption and mismanagement, allegations which they have consistently denied. Despite the country’s vast oil wealth, nearly a third of Gabon’s population of 2.4 million people live below the poverty line, according to UN statistics.

In his farewell letter, Bongo acknowledged the shortcomings of his time in office. “I understand that despite the achievements made under my mandates, too many Gabonese people are still suffering, and this remains my greatest regret,” he admitted. He also expressed hope that the military junta would bring an end to what he called “national suffering” and advocated for national reconciliation.

General Nguema has promised to hold free and fair elections that would return the country to civilian rule, though it remains unclear if he plans to run for the presidency. Elections are planned for next year, and many are watching closely to see how the transition unfolds.

Bongo concluded his letter with a call for peace, urging Gabon to move forward without vengeance. “I call on my country, its leaders, and my fellow citizens to renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity.” His final pledge was to never pose any threat or trouble during the country’s transition, signaling a potentially new era for Gabon after decades under the Bongo family’s influence.