Libreville – Gabon’s junta chief promised on Tuesday a “fair trial” for former first lady Sylvia Bongo and her son Noureddin, who are accused of corruption, embezzlement and forging ex-president Ali Bongo Ondimba’s signature.
Brice Oligui Nguema, who took power in an August 2023 coup that toppled the Bongo dynasty, which had ruled the oil-rich country for over half a century, told Radio France Internationale that the French-born Sylvia, 62, and her 33-year-old son would be fairly treated.
He said under Gabonese law, investigations “can go on for up to years”, without specifying any trial date.
“If we succeeded in staging a coup without spilling blood, two individuals will not be tortured in this country,” he said.
The former first lady and her son have said through their lawyers that they are being “tortured” in the Libreville prison where they are being held.
A judicial inquiry was opened in Paris in January on the alleged tortures faced by the Bongo family. Both Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo hold French nationality.
Their lawyers say the son bore physical traces of torture while the former first lady was subjected to psychological torture.
Toppled president Bongo Ondimba, who is living at home in the capital, is “free to leave the country”, according to the government.
Gabon’s junta has accused the Bongos of widespread corruption, including rigging elections and “manipulating” Ali Bongo after he was weakened by a stroke in 2018.
On the night of the coup, Gabonese national television showed the arrest of Noureddin Bongo, a close adviser to his father, and other officials next to suitcases filled with cash allegedly seized from their homes.
The military has accused Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo of treason and other allegations.
Gabon is one of the richest countries in per capita terms in Africa but one in three people still live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
Oligui announced on March 3 that he would run for president in elections due to be held on April 12 that are supposed to end the transition and usher in constitutional rule.
He faces seven challengers including former prime minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the last to serve under Bongo Ondimba.
Campaigning is scheduled to begin on March 29.
No date for a potential second round in the event of a run-off was specified in a decree setting out the electoral timetable.
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Source: AFP
