Gabon: Ali Bongo refuses to go into exile without family members

Ali Bongo Ondimba, the ex-leader of Gabon, has rejected all plans forcing him to go into exile without his family members, as his wife and eldest son are hallowing in prison over multiple charges, reports say citing one family member.

A junta led by current transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema removed Bongo on August 30, putting therefore an end to his 14-year power control.

The junta accused him of bad management. It has since then held him under house arrest and cut him off from all outside contacts. The new authorities also froze all his accounts.

A family member who did not want to be named told Paris-based RFI that a month ago, the junta made available a jet so that the former leader goes into exile to a country of his choice but he rubbished the offer that came without his family members. He mainly referred to his wife Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and eldest son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who are both currently in prison, waiting for their trial for several crimes, including corruption, embezzling public funds, and money laundering.

Ali Bongo, according to the family source, believes the former First lady and Noureddin have nothing to do with the charges leveled at them. Ali Bongo is taking full responsibility for charges, the source added.

No legal action has been taken against Ali Bongo himself yet. Nguema who was Ali’s presidential guard’s Chief at the time of the coup, had indicated that the former President will not be sued following his removal.