Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, who was deposed in a military coup last August, has announced his withdrawal from political life in a letter addressed to the Gabonese people.
“I wish to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition,” Bongo, 65, stated in the letter. The former president also called for the release of his wife, Sylvia, and son, Noureddin, who are currently in detention awaiting trial on corruption allegations.
Bongo led the oil-rich Central African nation since 2009, succeeding his father who had ruled for over four decades. His presidency ended abruptly when the military, led by Gen. Brice Oligui Ngeuma, seized power shortly after Bongo was declared winner of a disputed election in 2023.
In his statement, Bongo claimed his movements remain restricted and subject to daily surveillance, despite the junta’s assertions that he is free to leave the country. He appealed for an end to what he described as “violence and torture” against his family members in detention.
The former president acknowledged shortcomings during his tenure, expressing regret that “too many Gabonese people are still suffering.” He called for national reconciliation and urged the country to “renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity.”
Gen. Ngeuma has promised free and fair elections to establish a new civilian government, though he has not commented on whether he will run for office. The military coup, while celebrated domestically, was condemned by regional and international bodies, including France, Gabon’s former colonial power.
As Gabon navigates this political transition, Bongo’s announcement marks a significant shift in the country’s political landscape, potentially paving the way for new leadership to address long-standing economic disparities in the resource-rich nation.
