Gabon: Prosecutors seek trial in €85 million corruption case

French prosecutors have requested that 18 individuals and five companies be sent to trial in a long-running investigation into the ‘ill-gotten gains’ linked to Gabon. The National Financial Prosecutor's Office suspects the acquisition of assets valued at approximately 85 million euros using public funds.

This legal development follows the August 2023 coup in Gabon, which ended the era of Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family's decades-long rule. The investigation seeks to distinguish between private wealth and diverted public assets.

Separately, investigations continue regarding the 2016 post-election violence in Gabon. Following the disputed victory of Ali Bongo over Jean Ping, protests in Libreville were met with a violent crackdown. Human rights organizations reported dozens of deaths and injuries during the unrest. Allegations have surfaced regarding the role of French military elements and advisors during the repression, though authorities face scrutiny over the transparency of these events.