THE wife and son of Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo have been moved from prison to house arrest following demands from the African Union, though no date has been set for their long-anticipated trial, two sources confirmed to Reuters.
Sylvia Bongo, 62, and her son Nourredin Bongo, 33, were detained shortly after a military coup in August 2023 toppled Ali Bongo’s regime. For months, the two had been held in basement cells within the presidential palace in Libreville, one source familiar with their case said.
Their transfer to house arrest took place on May 9, where they have now been reunited with the former president. The move followed sustained calls from African Union (AU) officials for their release, and came days after the pair were hospitalised on May 1 following a hunger strike, one of the sources added.
Accused of corruption, awaiting justice
Sylvia and Nourredin Bongo face charges of embezzlement and money laundering — allegations that emerged in the aftermath of the coup as part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown. Their legal team and supporters have alleged mistreatment in custody, including torture — claims denied by transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema.
Speaking to Radio France Internationale in March, Nguema insisted there had been no torture and assured that both would face trial in due course.
Nguema was sworn in for a seven-year presidential term on May 3, after claiming victory in last month’s election with nearly 95 percent of the vote.
AU influence and legal criticism
The African Union had suspended Gabon following the August 2023 coup, but on April 30, its Peace and Security Council lifted the ban, citing progress in the political transition. In a statement, the Council also demanded the immediate release of Ali Bongo’s family and assurances for their welfare and legal rights.
Gabon’s communications minister, Paul-Marie Gondjout, did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
A family representative said neither Sylvia nor Nourredin Bongo would make public statements at this time.
However, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, a former prime minister under Bongo and a recent presidential contender, expressed concern over the legality of their long detention.
‘This house arrest, which their lawyers have long been calling for, cannot be seen as clemency on the part of a government that has violated all the rights of the defence for more than 20 months,’ he told Reuters.
‘However, it is to be hoped that the trial, if it takes place, will respect all the legal guarantees of impartiality, fairness and transparency,’ he added.
The case remains a critical test of Gabon’s transitional justice framework as the country navigates its post-coup political landscape.
