The son of former Gabonese President Ali Bongo as well as some of his associates, were charged with high treason and corruption, and are being held in detention, AFP reports.
In total, 10 people were indicted on allegations that included corruption, embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, Libreville prosecutor Andre-Patrick Roponat is reported to have said. However, seven have been detained.
Sylvia Bongo, Mr Bongo’s wife, is placed under house arrest in the nation’s capital, Libreville, “for her protection,” according to authorities. The former first lady was believed to be preparing her son, Noureddine Bongo, to succeed his father. In December 2019, Noureddin Bongo was appointed the general coordinator of presidential affairs by his father.
READ ALSO: Show your medical records, By Wole Olaoye
On 30 August, moments after being declared the winner of a presidential election, military leaders overthrew Mr Bongo, 64, who had ruled the oil-rich central African nation since 2009. The opposition and the leaders of the military coup d’état, who also charged his rule with widespread corruption and poor leadership, denounced the outcome as a fraud. A son of Mr Bongo, five senior cabinet members, and his wife Sylvia Bongo were all detained by soldiers on the day of the coup.
Following the military takeover, Gabon’s coup leaders announced the appointment of a key opponent of the overthrown president as interim prime minister. Raymond Sima, 68, presided over Mr Bongo’s government as prime minister from 2012 until 2014. He then turned into an opponent and ran against him in 2016 and 2023. He fared poorly at the latest polls.
Mr Bongo is free to travel abroad, the military junta said on 6 September. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) suspended Gabon’s membership during an extraordinary summit in Djibloho, Equatorial Guinea, and condemned the use of force to resolve political conflicts.
The military junta in Gabon led by General Brice Nguema set a two-year transition period to democracy and military cooperation with France has resumed. Mr Oligui has appointed former opposition leaders and key figures from the ousted regime to both houses of parliament.
This story was first published by AllAfrica.com (https://allafrica.com/), a Premium Times partner. We have their permission to republish.
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
Donate
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest For Top Stories News Click Here
