Gabon’s Military Says Former President Ali Bongo Is Free To Travel

Gabon’s former president Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a putsch, is permitted to leave the country and travel abroad the leader of the coup that toppled him announced on Wednesday.

“He has freedom of movement… and can travel abroad if he wishes,” General Brice Oligui Nguema disclosed in a statement read on state television.

Bongo, who had been in power for 14 years was placed under house arrest following the military coup of August 30.

The coup was executed without bloodshed and occurred less than an hour after Bongo’s party declared his re-election in a vote described as fraudulent by the putschists.

“Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba has freedom of movement. He can travel abroad if he wishes to carry out his medical checks,” Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi said, reading a press release signed by Oligui took his oath as transitional president on Monday.

Bongo suffered a serious stroke in October 2018 which left him physically impaired, with particular difficulty moving his right leg and arm.