Gabon’s former President Ali Bongo, along with two of his sons, has initiated a hunger strike to denounce what their lawyers describe as “acts of torture and brutality” inflicted upon them. Bongo was removed from power following a military coup in August, which occurred shortly after a contentious presidential election.
Since then, Bongo, along with his sons Jalil and Bilal, has been confined to his residence in Libreville. Additionally, Bongo’s wife Sylvia and eldest son Noureddin have been detained and are awaiting trial on corruption charges.
According to their legal representatives, Noureddin and Sylvia were subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and strangulation, during their detention. They allege that Noureddin endured further mistreatment, including whipping and electrocution with a taser.
Authorities in Gabon have not responded to these accusations. Bongo, 64, had been at the helm of the oil-rich nation since 2009, succeeding his father, who had ruled for over four decades.
The family’s lawyers have taken further action by filing a complaint with the Paris judicial court, timed before the scheduled visit of Gabon’s junta leader, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, to France.
