Ali Bongo breaks silence on Gabon coup and potential return

Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has broken a three-year silence in an exclusive interview with Info241, addressing his removal from power during the August 30, 2023, military coup.

Bongo discussed his fall from leadership, his relationship with General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and the impact of his 2018 stroke on his presidency. He stated that during the coup, he called for calm to avoid bloodshed, asserting that he did not want any Gabonese lives lost for his sake.

Currently residing abroad following his period of house arrest in Libreville, Bongo expressed a desire to eventually return to Gabon. However, he stipulated that his return depends on the evolution of the country’s legal and security frameworks to ensure the safety of himself and his family. He also noted the ongoing judicial proceedings involving his wife, Sylvia, and his son, Noureddin.