Gabon Military Junta Releases Ousted President Bongo

The ousted Gabon President Ali Bongo, has been released from detention by the Gabonese military junta.

Bongo was freed from house arrest, according to BBC on health ground. 

BBC reported that “the decision to free Mr Bongo was due to “his state of health”.

The junta said he’s now “free to move about”.

In a communique on state TV on Wednesday evening, military spokesperson Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said the decision to free Mr Bongo was due to “his state of health”.

“He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical check-ups,” he added.

The decision to free him follows pressure from the Central African regional bloc Eccas and Gabon’s neighbours, to respect the physical integrity of the ousted head of state.

In 2018, Mr Bongo suffered a stroke.

His health was a major source of concern for many in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

The Nation reported that a group of senior Gabonese soldiers appeared on national television and announced they had taken power, minutes after the state election body announced President Ali Bongo had won a third term.

Appearing on television channel Gabon 24, the officers said they represented all security and defence forces in the Central African nation. They said the election results were cancelled, all borders closed until further notice and state institutions dissolved.

“In the name of the Gabonese people … we have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime,” the officers said in a statement.

As one officer read the joint statement, about a dozen others stood silently behind him in military fatigues and berets.

As in previous general elections in Gabon, there were serious concerns about the process in Saturday’s vote.Few days later,

General Brice Oligui Nguema was inaugurated as interim president of the country. 

Nguema vowed to return power to civilians after “free, transparent” elections.

However, the junta leader failed to give a date to end his rule.

In a speech after being sworn in as interim president, at Monday’s inauguration, Gen Nguema gave a defiant speech, saying “This patriotic action will be a lesson learnt that will be taught in the books of our schools.

The new President, dressed in the red ceremonial costume of the Republican Guard, also added that a fresh government would be formed “in a few days” and recommended new electoral legislation, a new penal code and a referendum on a new constitution.

Gen Nguema also said he had instructed the new government “to think without delay” about freeing all political prisoners.

The ceremony was broadcast live on Gabonese TV and across online platforms.