Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was overthrown in a 2023 military coup, has officially left the country and arrived in Angola with his family.
This development was confirmed by the Angolan presidency on Friday, May 16, marking a new chapter in Gabon’s evolving political story following the recent presidential election.
Photos released on the Angolan presidency’s official Facebook page showed Bongo, his wife Sylvia Bongo, and their son Noureddin Bongo Valentin landing in Luanda, the Angolan capital. According to the statement, their relocation was made possible through an agreement brokered between Angolan President João Lourenço and Gabon’s new leader, President Brice Oligui Nguema.
The Angolan presidency emphasized that President Lourenço was acting in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) when he facilitated the arrangement. The AU had previously issued calls for the release of the Bongo family following their detention after the August 2023 coup.
Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the former prime minister of Gabon and current spokesperson for Bongo, stated that the family had been held without legal grounds. “International demands” played a crucial role in securing their eventual release, he noted.
After being ousted in the August 2023 military takeover, Ali Bongo was placed under house arrest. Although Gabonese authorities claimed he was released due to health issues, Bongo’s supporters disputed these claims, asserting that his freedom remained limited. His wife and son were held in prison in the capital, Libreville, on charges of money laundering and corruption. Ali Bongo himself was never formally charged.
AU Help Secures Bongo Family Release
The release coincided with a turning point in Gabonese politics. On May 3, 2025, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was officially sworn in as president after winning the April 12 election by a landslide, securing 94.85% of the vote. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Sino-Gabonese Friendship Stadium in Libreville and was attended by roughly 20 African heads of state, underscoring the high level of regional interest in Gabon’s leadership transition.
Nguema’s presidency marks the end of a nearly two-year transitional period and the close of the Bongo family’s 54-year rule. His inauguration also saw the resignation of transitional Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima and his cabinet, officially bringing Gabon into its Fifth Republic.
During his inaugural speech, President Oligui Nguema pledged to serve the nation with “dedication,” vowing to “uphold the constitution, protect the nation’s sovereignty,” and “promote democratic principles.” He spoke of a “democratic renewal” and announced bold plans to diversify Gabon’s oil-reliant economy, create job opportunities for the youth, and reform the nation’s education system.
The new administration has already begun nationalizing key sectors such as transport, timber, and oil. These moves are aimed at increasing state revenue and reducing dependency on external markets. Tackling Gabon’s economic hardships is a priority, with youth unemployment nearing 36% in 2024 and poverty affecting over 31% of the population. The government believes these socio-economic reforms are essential to rebuilding public trust and fostering an inclusive, resilient nation.
The peaceful nature of the recent election and transition of power has been widely welcomed both domestically and abroad. Analysts suggest that President Nguema’s ability to deliver on his promises will be crucial in determining the future of democracy and economic stability in Gabon.
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