Former first lady of overthrown Gabon President Ali Bongo jailed

After being under house arrest since the coup in the Central African country of Gabon in late August, Ali Bongo Ondimba’s wife has been taken into custody, her lawyer confirmed today.

Her attorney Francois Zimeray condemned the “arbitrary… illegal procedure” that led to Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin’s incarceration late yesterday on suspicion of allegedly embezzling public funds.

On September 28th, Bongo’s wife was charged with money laundering, forgery, and record falsification.

Since the August 30 coup ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo dynasty, Sylvia Bongo has been under house arrest in the capital city of Libreville.

The former leader and his inner circle are accused by the putschists of manipulating election results.

They claim that the former president, who has not fully recovered from a stroke in 2018, is being manipulated by Sylvia Bongo and her son, Nourredin Bongo Valentin.

They claim the two have mismanaged public funds and effectively run the oil-rich country for the past five years.

After the coup, Nourredin Bongo Valentin was arrested on corruption charges and has remained in detention ever since.

Attorney Zimeray expressed strong disapproval of the questionable practise.

“There is a difference between justice and arbitrary actions, between law and revenge.”

AFP’s request for comment from the Libreville public prosecutor has gone unanswered so far.

Military leaders deposed Bongo, 64, mere minutes after he was declared the winner of a presidential election. Bongo had ruled the central African country since 2009.

Instead of a military takeover, many people saw it as a liberating act.

After his father Omar died in 2009, after nearly 42 years in power, Ali Bongo was elected.

The World Bank reports that although Gabon ranks third in Africa in terms of per capita GDP, one third of its population still lives in poverty.