In a letter addressed to the people of Gabon, the ousted democratic leader of the West African country renounced all political ambitions moving forward, asking that his wife and son who are currently awaiting trial be released from prison.
“I wish to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition,” he relayed via the letter.
“I would never wish to constitute a risk of threat, unrest and destabilization for Gabon,” he added.
The ousted president, whose family dynasty ruled Gabon for 55 years, has subsequently relocated to his own residence in the city, Libreville. According to the military authorities, the 65-year-old can leave the nation.
However, the former president’s letter reveals a different story, as he states; “My visits depend on the authorisation of the military. Isolated from the outside world without communications, without news of my family.”
His wife and children are being imprisoned in pretrial custody on charges of embezzling state monies, according to the BBC.
The ex-president himself also faces allegations of money laundering, forgery, and document falsification.
Ali Bongo described his wife and son as “helpless scapegoats,” and stated that his decision to leave active politics also extended to them.
He called on the people of Gabon to forgive his shortcomings as president during his tenure, acknowledging that his administration had led to severe harm to people’s lives.
“I understand that despite the achievements made under my mandates, too many Gabonese people are still suffering and this remains my greatest regret,” he said.
“I call on my country, its leaders and my fellow citizens to renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity,” he added.
Gabon’s coup
The coup d’etat leader against Ali Bongo Ondimba, General Brice Oligui Nguema, named Ndong Sima to lead the transitional administration.
A spokesperson for the Gabon Junta had announced on live television at the time, that a formal yet “indicative” transition schedule that the cabinet had agreed but would be presented to a national convention the following year.
The former president had ruled the oil-rich West African country for 14 years before being deposed by the military.
Prior to the successful coup, Gabon had in 2019, thwarted a military coup attempt when troops briefly took control of the national radio station and declared Bongo, who had suffered a stroke months previously, unable to maintain office.
