Ousted President Ali Bongo’s house arrest has been lifted, according to Gabon’s military authorities, who also declared him “free to move about”.
Military spokesman Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi said in a statement read on state television on Wednesday night that the decision to release Mr. Bongo was made because of “his state of health”.
“He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical check-ups,” he added.
The former president was placed under house arrest after the military declared themselves in charge of the oil-rich country and staging a coup on August 30.
The decision to free him follows pressure from the Central African regional bloc Eccas and Gabon’s neighbours, to respect the physical integrity of the ousted head of state.
Mr. Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018.
In the months leading up to the 2023 presidential election, many people expressed serious concern about his health.
Mr. Bongo had been in power in the oil-rich country since 2009, when he succeeded his father who had ruled the country for 41 years.
The former colonial power France, which had strong ties to the Bongo family, was among the many nations in Africa and the West to condemn the coup. Gabon has been suspended from the African Union.
Mr. Bongo was able to make a video soon after the coup, urging his followers to “make noise”.
On Monday, the transitional president, Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema, took the oath of office. He promised to hold free and fair elections and then restore civilian rule, but he did not provide a timeline.
Earlier this week, the junta freed a number of political prisoners, among them the pro-democracy activist and head of the largest union federation, Jean Rémi Yama.
Source-BBC
