While Ali Bongo, the deposed president of Gabon is free to move around the country and beyond following the coup, his wife whom some people believe was behind the coup remains under house arrest, and currently facing some charges. On Friday, September 29th, the public prosecutor announced that she’s been charged with “money laundering” and other offenses, just a month after a coup toppled her husband. Andre Patrick Roponat, the Gabonese public prosecutor explained that Sylvia Bongo was charged by an investigative judge on September 28th and ordered to remain under house arrest. Aside from money laundering, Sylvia Bongo was also charged with receiving stolen goods,””forgery and fraud.” According to the prosecutor, all these offenses are punishable under articles 116, 117, 312, and 380 of the Penal Code.
Recall that prior to this time, Sylvia Bongo had been under house arrest and isolated from her husband. Although her lawyers filed a complaint in Paris against the military government stating that they were holding her hostage, the presidency stated at that time that she was under house arrest in Libreville “for her protection” However, right now she is under arrest for charges against her. Interestingly Sylvia Bongo was not the only one charged. Her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin was indicted earlier this month and placed in provisional detention for alleged corruption. In addition, according to the prosecutor, 10 people in all were indicted on charges ranging from electoral college operational issues, counterfeiting, and use of the seals of the republic, to corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and money laundering. Seven including Noureddin and two former ministers for oil have been detained.
In a speech to the Republican Guard. General Brice Nguema, the military junta accused the former “First Lady” and Noureddin of having “squandered” the president’s power. He said that “Because since his stroke, they have falsified the signature of the president and given orders in his place,” It remains to be seen what punishment would be given to Sylvia Bingo as stated by the law. Meanwhile, since he came to power, the new strongman of Gabon seems to have cracked down on corruption. Immediately after gaining power, he gathered roughly 200 Gabonese business executives to a conference, in which he harshly warned business leaders against “over-billing” and urged them to commit to the “development of the country.” He also vowed to make sure the overcharged money “comes back to the state”.
Corruption in addition to bad governance was one of the reasons given by the military government for overthrowing Ali Bongo. And since he was ousted, his corrupt lifestyle and that of his family has come to light. For instance, during his last presidential campaign for a third term, Ali Bongo wore a white suit by Vinci that cost around $200, which is more than half of Gabon’s minimum wage. In addition, four months after Ali took office, a leaked document revealed that his office had purchased 29 high-end autos totaling 12.8 million euros from a Swiss corporation. The transaction included two Maybach 62S priced at 26,680 euros each, two Rolls Royce Phantoms valued at 371,453 euros each, and two Rolls Royce Ghosts valued at 227,994 euros each.
The Bongo family was notable for living lavishly at the expense of the Gabonese citizens who despite their oil resources, most of them still lived below the poverty line. It’s no wonder that at the time the coup occurred, citizens of Gabon took to the streets rejoicing. They refused to see it as a coup and called it a revolution. However, some people believe that the coup is not an end to the Bongo family’s rule in Gabon, instead it was to remove Ali Bongo and his immediate family from power because of his failing health. Some experts also believe that the coup was to stop the public protest plans that were brewing in support of Ossa, the opposition party leader after Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the election.
The new strongman of Gabon, General Brice Nguema is also believed to be the cousin of Ali Bongo and so according to speculations, power still lies in the Bongo family. Well, whether or not this is true, General Brice has been hitting hard on corruption in the country and he should be applauded for it. What are your thoughts? Do let us know in the comments section below and don’t forget to like, subscribe and share this video.