In a significant development following last year’s military coup in Gabon, former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and members of his immediate family have arrived in Angola, according to Angolan government officials.
The Bongo family’s relocation marks a new chapter in Gabon’s post-coup transition, as the former ruling dynasty seeks refuge abroad following their removal from power in August 2023. Angola’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrival of Ali Bongo, his wife Sylvia, and several close relatives, stating they were welcomed “on humanitarian grounds” in accordance with international norms.
Ali Bongo, who ruled the oil-rich Central African nation for 14 years following the death of his father Omar Bongo, was deposed in a swift military coup that took place shortly after the announcement of disputed election results. The coup, led by high-ranking officers from the Republican Guard, ended over five decades of Bongo family dominance in Gabonese politics.
The Angolan government has not disclosed specific details regarding the duration of the Bongo family’s stay or whether asylum has been officially granted. However, sources close to the situation indicate that Angola offered temporary refuge as a gesture of regional stability and diplomatic goodwill.
The former president had largely disappeared from public view since the coup, sparking widespread speculation about his health and whereabouts. Video footage released during the early hours of the coup showed a visibly disoriented Bongo calling for help from the international community—a scene that quickly went viral and highlighted the suddenness of his downfall.
Since then, Gabon’s military-led transitional government has promised to restore civilian rule and organize democratic elections, although no firm timeline has been established. International observers remain cautious about the direction of the country, given the history of political instability in the region.
The relocation of the Bongo family to Angola also underscores a broader pattern seen across Central Africa, where deposed leaders often seek refuge in neighboring countries with shared political or historical ties. Angola, which has historically played a stabilizing role in regional conflicts, is seen as a neutral ground for high-profile political exiles.
Analysts believe the move could help ease internal tensions in Gabon, where public sentiment has largely turned against the Bongo regime amid allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and suppression of political opposition.
As of now, neither the Bongo family nor the Angolan presidency has issued a formal public statement. However, diplomatic sources suggest the arrangement was made quietly over several weeks with input from regional blocs including the African Union and ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States).
This latest development is expected to influence the evolving political dynamics in Gabon and the wider Central African region, as governments and international actors continue to monitor the fallout from one of the most high-profile coups in recent African history.
Source : Swifteradio.com
