The leaders of the military coup in Gabon have released the ousted President Ali Bongo and granted him permission to travel abroad for medical reasons. The announcement was made on state television by Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi, the spokesperson for the junta, as reported by CNN.
Ali Bongo had been held under house arrest since the coup took place in late August in the Central African nation.
According to Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi, who read a statement from transitional leader Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema, “Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba is free to move about. He may, if he wishes, travel abroad to receive medical check-ups.”
The junta also released images showing Bongo welcoming Abdou Abarry, the head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, at Bongo’s residence in the capital city of Libreville.
Ali Bongo, who had been rarely seen since the coup, had appealed to his supporters in a video shortly after his ousting, stating, “The people here have arrested me… I’m in the residence… I don’t know what is going on.”
Bongo, who suffered a stroke in 2018 and spent months receiving medical treatment in Morocco, had faced questions about his fitness to continue as president. This had previously led to an unsuccessful coup attempt in 2019. He had been in power for 14 years, succeeding his father Omar Bongo in 2009 and seeking another term in the disputed elections held last month.
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