Gabon’s military leaders have said that they released President Ali Bongo from being confined at his home. He had been under house arrest since the military took control of the country last week.
This means you can go to another country for medical check-ups.
He had a serious health problem in 2018, and many people were worried about his health before the 2023 presidential election.
The military took control just after he was announced as the winner of the election, which was argued by the opposition.
The decision to release Mr Bongo comes after pressure from nearby countries and a regional group called Eccas.
In a message on TV, a military representative named Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said that they released Mr Bongo because he was not in good health.
“He can go to another country for medical check-ups if he wants,” he said.
Mr Bongo took over as the leader of the oil-rich country in 2009 after his father had been ruling for 41 years.
The takeover by force has been strongly criticized in Africa and the Western countries, including France, the previous ruling authority that had close connections with the Bongo family. Gabon cannot be a part of the African Union anymore.
After the takeover, Mr Bongo quickly made a video asking his supporters from all over the world to “make noise”.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, became the temporary president on Monday. He promised to let normal people govern the country again after fair elections, but he didn’t say when this would happen.
Earlier this week, the military group freed more political prisoners. One of them is Jean Rémi Yama, who is a pro-democracy activist and the leader of a strong trade union organization.
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Gabon coup leaders: Former president Ali Bongo freed
