Former Gabon President Bongo Exiled to Angola

Former Gabon president Ali Bongo has gone into exile in Angola. The new rulers in his country allowed him to leave along with his wife and 33-year-old son.

The 66-year-old Ali Bongo had been president of Gabon since 2009, succeeding his late father Omar, who had led the country since 1967. After suffering a stroke in 2018, his wife played a significant role in politics.

Bongo was ousted in a political coup in 2023. The man who removed him, his cousin Brice Oligui Nguema, was elected president last month with nearly 95% of the vote.

After the coup, Bongo was placed under house arrest. His wife Sylvia and son Noureddin were detained on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, accused of plundering the state treasury.

Earlier this month, they were also transferred from prison to house arrest. Meanwhile, international calls for the Bongo family to leave the country grew. According to the new authorities, the former president had already been allowed to leave, but his supporters denied this.

Angola says it granted permission for Bongo and his family to enter on humanitarian grounds. A government spokesperson stated they are free to choose another country to relocate to.