Ex-Gabon leader Ali Bongo’s wife, son on trial for treason
Ex-Gabon leader Ali Bongo’s wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba at an event (via AFP)
The wife and son of the ex-Gabon leader Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a coup by the Gabonese military, face trial on charges including corruption and treason, according to RFI on 10th November.
The duo —Sylvia and Noureddin— are accused of offences such as money laundering, forgery, and embezzlement of public funds, among 12 charges. The Bongos are reportedly not available to attend the hearings, as they had moved to London when the current President Brice Oligui Nguema took office and let them move on condition that they keep a low profile.
Since leaving Gabon, the Bongos have been openly confrontational with the authorities. The duo, who are French nationals, lodged a complaint in a French court last year, alleging that Gabonese authorities kidnapped and tortured them following Bongo’s ouster.
They have also referred to the proceedings as a “show trial”, and Noureddin has denied the embezzlement charges to French media.
Civil society members in Gabon expressed their disappointment in the absence of Sylvia and Noureddin at the trials. They also released a statement that referred to the arrogance of the ex-First Lady and her son in not appearing in court before the justice.
“In their time, they claimed that Gabon’s justice system was doing its job. Now that they are faced with the facts: they must return to the Republic of Gabon to answer for their actions,” a spokesperson for Indignant Citizens collective (Les citoyens indignés) said.
Another member of the civil society group, “Network of free organisations for good governance,” said that the United Nations Convention against Corruption permits international cooperation under universal jurisdiction to recover and return assets obtained through criminal activities.
Gabonese citizens welcomed the coup that occurred in 2023, which ousted then-President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had won a third term in office. The military declared the election results void as they seized power.
Morocco, who has been a strong ally of Gabon, called for stability at the time of the coup. Today, Morocco has bilateral ties with the Gabonese government, including a recent development of bilateral cooperation in digital transformation, AI, and digital and tech skills development in Africa.
RFI, Maghrebi.org
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