September 20, (THEWILL) – Former Gabonese President, Ali Bongo, has announced his retirement from partisan politics, a year after being ousted from power in a military coup.
In a letter addressed to the Gabonese people, Bongo declared his decision to step away from political life and give up any future political aspiration.
The 65-year-old also used the opportunity to call for the release of his wife, Sylvia Bongo, and their son, Noureddin, both of whom are currently detained and awaiting trial on corruption charges. He described them as collateral following his ouster by the military in August 2023.
Bongo further said that he had what was needed to “change” Gabon, but “a system ultimately turned against” his family, which he describes as “a symbol of an era”.
The former president added that his family members, who he termed “helpless scapegoats”, are being subjected to mistreatment by the military government.
“The evening of August 29, 2023, ended my term as head of state in painful circumstances. These events brought to power a transitional system, which, in the coming months, will face the ballot box and the vote to set our country on a new path.
“Our country is the witness, a spectator, hoping for legitimate change. For my part, I respect and understand the will of citizens to want new political leaders to build the future and I want to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition.
“This also applies to (Gabon’s former First Lady) Sylvia (Bongo Ondimba), and (the eldest son) Noureddin (Bongo Valentin).
“Because our country is, has always been and will always be a country of honour, I call for appeasement, for an end to the violence and torture against my family, particularly my wife Sylvia and my son Noureddin and for their release, because they have been imprisoned for too long now for acts of which they have not been found guilty, scapegoats for a situation that goes far beyond their person.
“I have imposed many trials on them throughout their lives through my choices. But their imprisonment and the abuse they have suffered for over a year go far beyond anything a wife and son have to endure.
“My visits depend on the authorisation of the military. Isolated from the outside world without communication, without news of my family.
“I am fully aware of what has been accomplished under my presidency, as well as of the shortcomings for which I alone assume responsibility, both on the social level and in terms of the functioning of our institutions.
“Therefore, I call on my country, its leaders and my fellow citizens to renounce vengeance and to write its next history with harmony and humanity.
“I wish to reaffirm my withdrawal from political life and the definitive renunciation of any national ambition,” Bongo wrote, signalling the end of his involvement in the country’s political arena.
The former Gabonese leader said should he and his family be granted release, he would not pose “a risk of threat, trouble and destabilisation (of Gabon) at this time of reconstruction”.
