Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ousted in a military coup in August 2023, has issued a public letter addressing the people of Gabon. In the letter, Bongo acknowledges the shortcomings of his administration, takes personal responsibility for the nation’s social and institutional issues, and calls for national reconciliation. He also pleads for the release of his wife Sylvia Bongo and son Noureddin Bongo, who remain detained following the collapse of the Bongo dynasty.
The former president admitted to “inadequacies on the social and institutional level” during his time in office, acknowledging that he alone should bear responsibility for these failures. Despite stepping away from politics, Bongo is urging for the liberation of his family members, describing their detention as unjust. According to Bongo, both his wife and son have become “scapegoats” for a situation beyond their individual control. He emphasized that their guilt has not been legally established and condemned what he described as their ongoing “torture” in detention.
Bongo’s call for reconciliation has sparked mixed reactions across Gabon. In Libreville, skepticism is widespread. One resident questioned the sincerity of Bongo’s message, pointing out that if he were truly remorseful, he would advocate for the release of individuals he had jailed during his presidency. “The substance of his message doesn’t feel genuine,” the resident said. Another Gabonese citizen expressed conflicting emotions, noting that their Christian faith urges forgiveness but that it remains a difficult decision given the nation’s circumstances.
However, some are more open to reconciliation. “We forgive him. In Gabon, we are united. I would like for him to be forgiven so that we can start afresh,” said another resident, showing a willingness to move forward.
Despite Bongo’s plea, many Gabonese remain suspicious of his intentions, questioning why his focus is solely on his immediate family while others, including members of the Young Team—a group closely associated with his wife Sylvia—also remain in jail. The public also points to numerous political prisoners detained during Bongo’s presidency who have yet to see justice.
Former First Lady Sylvia Bongo, 61, has been charged with multiple offenses, including money laundering, receiving stolen goods, forgery, and fraud. Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the former president’s son, has also been charged with corruption and embezzlement of public funds, alongside several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers. As of now, no charges have been brought against Ali Bongo himself, but he insists that he is not free to move about as the junta claims. He added that the visits he receives are controlled by the military, and he remains isolated from his family, with no updates on their condition.
The coup that toppled Bongo ended over 55 years of his family’s rule in Gabon, a dynasty marked by controversy, accusations of corruption, and economic mismanagement. With the former president now calling for unity, the future of Gabon remains uncertain as the country navigates a delicate period of political transition and public distrust. Whether Ali Bongo’s calls for reconciliation will lead to meaningful healing or further divide remains to be seen.
