Gabon’s deposed President, Ali Bongo, along with two of his sons, has initiated a hunger strike to protest against what their family lawyer describes as “acts of torture and barbarity”.
Ali Bongo was ousted in a military coup in August 2023 shortly after securing victory in the presidential election. Since then, he and his two sons, Jalil and Bilal, have been confined to his residence in the nation’s capital, Libreville. Meanwhile, his wife Sylvia and eldest son, Noureddin, are currently awaiting trial in prison on charges of alleged corruption.
In an official statement, the family lawyer asserted that Noureddin and Sylvia were subjected to torture while in detention, including beatings, strangulation, and electrocution with a taser. The legal team has also lodged a complaint with the Paris judicial court, just a week before junta leader Gen Brice Oligui Nguema is scheduled to visit France.
As of now, authorities have yet to respond to these allegations.
At 64 years old, Ali Bongo has been in office since 2009, succeeding his father, who held onto power for 40 years.