By Adadareporters
The military junta in Gabon has announced the release of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba from house arrest.
Lt Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi, the spokesperson of the junta, stated Bongo’s release on national television on Wednesday evening.
According to him, “Given his state of health, the former president of the Republic, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is free to move about. He may, if he wishes, travel abroad for medical checkups.”
Recall that General Brice Oligui Nguema, the head of the elite Republican Guard, on Wednesday, August 30, led officers in a coup against President Bongo Ondimba. The ousted leader succeeded his father, Umar Bongo, and both collectively ruled Gabon for 56 years.
His ousting came just moments after Bongo, 64, was declared winner of a disputed presidential election.
Nguema, who is Bongo’s cousin, served as a bodyguard to Bongo’s late father and also headed the country’s republican guard, an elite military unit.
Brice Nguema was sworn in as the transitional president of Gabon on Monday, September 4th.
