Gabon’s military authorities say they have released former President Ali Bongo from house arrest, where he has been held since the military took office last week.
This includes authorization to travel overseas for medical examinations.
He had a stroke in 2018, and his health was a major source of anxiety for many as the presidential election in 2023 approached.
The army seized power immediately after he was declared the winner of that election, which the opposition had challenged.
Mr. Bongo’s release was announced in response to pressure from the regional bloc Eccas and surrounding countries.
In a statement delivered on state television on Wednesday evening, military spokesperson Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi stated that the decision to release Mr. Bongo was made due to “his state of health.”
“He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical check-ups,” he added.
Mr. Ali had ruled the oil-rich country since 2009, when he replaced his father, who had ruled for 41 years.
The coup has been strongly condemned throughout Africa and the Western world, particularly by France, a former colonial power with deep relations with the Bongo family. Gabon has been suspended from membership in the African Union.
Many Gabonese, however, hailed the Bongo family’s exit from office after nearly 56 years of rule.
Since the junta’s declaration that Mr. Bongo would be released, there have been calls for him to face justice on corruption charges.
In 2017, French police abandoned a seven-year corruption probe into the Bongo family, which uncovered assets including 39 residences in France and nine expensive cars. The family categorically refuted all of the charges.
“Ali Bongo must face justice,” said Bouloungui Mouanda Ulrich of the BBC in Libreville.
Another resident, Koumbi Anold, said he didn’t mind that the overthrown president was being released, but he believes he should face justice.
“We are waiting; we are now free people, and we want to work,” he explained.
Several associates of the deposed president were arrested shortly after the revolution, including Mr. Bongo’s 31-year-old son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who has been charged with high treason and corruption. National television broadcast photographs of him and several close Ali associates standing in front of luggage allegedly confiscated from their houses. They haven’t responded to the charges.
Mr. Bongo’s whereabouts are unknown, but Morocco, where he previously underwent stroke therapy, is a likely destination.
He has tight links with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and is said to own a property in Marrakesh’s palm grove.
On Monday, coup leader Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as temporary president. He promised to return the country to civilian control following free and fair elections, but he did not provide a timeline for the transition.
Earlier this week, the junta released other political detainees, including a pro-democracy campaigner and leader of the most prominent trade union confederation, Jean Rémi Yama.
