🇬🇦 Ali Bongo's son and relatives of the deposed president jailed for "high treason" in Gabon
Ali Bongo Ondimba's son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and several members of the deposed Gabonese president's cabinet were jailed and charged on Tuesday with "high treason" and "active corruption", the Libreville prosecutor told.
Ali Bongo's eldest son, former presidential spokesman Jessye Ella Ekogha, and four other people were "indicted on Tuesday and remanded in custody".
Former president's wife Sylvia Bongo Valentin is under house arrest in Libreville "for her protection", according to the presidency, and "arbitrarily detained" according to her lawyers.
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Ali Bongo Ondimba's son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and several members of the deposed Gabonese president's cabinet were jailed and charged on Tuesday with "high treason" and "active corruption", the Libreville prosecutor told.
Ali Bongo's eldest son, former presidential spokesman Jessye Ella Ekogha, and four other people were "indicted on Tuesday and remanded in custody".
Former president's wife Sylvia Bongo Valentin is under house arrest in Libreville "for her protection", according to the presidency, and "arbitrarily detained" according to her lawyers.
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🇺🇸🇬🇦 US pauses some foreign assistance programs for Gabon after coup
The United States is pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Gabon following last month's coup, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement released by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday.
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The United States is pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting the government of Gabon following last month's coup, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement released by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday.
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🇬🇦 Gabon's new prime minister outlines plans for national dialogue
Gabon's military-installed prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, on Wednesday outlined plans for a "national dialogue" to be organised next year which he said would pave the way for drawing up a new constitution.
He said an appeal for contributions towards the dialogue would go out from next week.
"Everyone has something to say. Men, women, old people, young people, people in housing estates, people in towns, in villages, everyone has an opinion and that's normal,” he said.
Ndong Sima said he aims to put forward a summary of these contributions by the end of January, which will provide the working basis for the national dialogue to take place hopefully between April and June.
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Gabon's military-installed prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, on Wednesday outlined plans for a "national dialogue" to be organised next year which he said would pave the way for drawing up a new constitution.
He said an appeal for contributions towards the dialogue would go out from next week.
"Everyone has something to say. Men, women, old people, young people, people in housing estates, people in towns, in villages, everyone has an opinion and that's normal,” he said.
Ndong Sima said he aims to put forward a summary of these contributions by the end of January, which will provide the working basis for the national dialogue to take place hopefully between April and June.
#Gabon
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🇬🇦 Gabon military government relaxes curfew
Military leaders in Gabon have relaxed the curfew imposed on the country following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo.
The new curfew, announced by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions on Wednesday, runs from midnight to 05:00.
Previously, it started between 18:00 and 22:00 depending on the area, and lasted until 06:00.
The new curfew, according to the government, forms part of efforts to restore economic operations in the country.
Junta leaders say unlike the previously modified curfew which exempted certain areas a few weeks ago, this one is the same across the entire country. The reason for this new curfew is to "relieve economic operators in all sectors."
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Military leaders in Gabon have relaxed the curfew imposed on the country following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo.
The new curfew, announced by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions on Wednesday, runs from midnight to 05:00.
Previously, it started between 18:00 and 22:00 depending on the area, and lasted until 06:00.
The new curfew, according to the government, forms part of efforts to restore economic operations in the country.
Junta leaders say unlike the previously modified curfew which exempted certain areas a few weeks ago, this one is the same across the entire country. The reason for this new curfew is to "relieve economic operators in all sectors."
#Gabon
@africaintel
🇬🇦 Gabon's former first lady of deposed president charged with money laundering
Sylvia Bongo, the wife of Gabon's ousted President Ali Bongo, has been charged with money laundering, receiving stolen property, forgery, and the use of forgery.
Public prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat announced on Friday that Sylvia Bongo's case had been brought before an investigating judge the day before. He also said her house arrest order was being upheld.
The decision to charge the former first lady comes after her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin was also charged with corruption, embezzlement and placed in pre-trial detention.
However, deposed President Ali Bongo, whose tenure was replete with accusations of corruption, has been released by the military junta and cleared to travel abroad for medical attention if he wished.
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Sylvia Bongo, the wife of Gabon's ousted President Ali Bongo, has been charged with money laundering, receiving stolen property, forgery, and the use of forgery.
Public prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat announced on Friday that Sylvia Bongo's case had been brought before an investigating judge the day before. He also said her house arrest order was being upheld.
The decision to charge the former first lady comes after her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin was also charged with corruption, embezzlement and placed in pre-trial detention.
However, deposed President Ali Bongo, whose tenure was replete with accusations of corruption, has been released by the military junta and cleared to travel abroad for medical attention if he wished.
#Gabon
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🇬🇦🇨🇬 Gabon's transitional leader held talks with president of the Republic of the Congo
Gabon’s coup leader has held talks with Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso as he seeks to end sanctions imposed on the country.
Gen Brice Oligui Nguema said his visit on Sunday to Congo-Brazzaville was aimed at strengthening ties with its neighbour and end Gabon's isolation within the region and globally.
"I have come to consult with the president, who for us is a key in the region, who can relay to global authorities what we have done," Gen Nguema said after talks with Nguesso.
The Congo president did not address reporters after the talks, but his Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso hailed Oligui as "a man of humility and reconciliation."
"I think that the Gabonese should support him and aside from the Gabonese, the Congolese. Also, our brothers in central Africa", he told.
#Gabon #Congo
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Gabon’s coup leader has held talks with Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso as he seeks to end sanctions imposed on the country.
Gen Brice Oligui Nguema said his visit on Sunday to Congo-Brazzaville was aimed at strengthening ties with its neighbour and end Gabon's isolation within the region and globally.
"I have come to consult with the president, who for us is a key in the region, who can relay to global authorities what we have done," Gen Nguema said after talks with Nguesso.
The Congo president did not address reporters after the talks, but his Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso hailed Oligui as "a man of humility and reconciliation."
"I think that the Gabonese should support him and aside from the Gabonese, the Congolese. Also, our brothers in central Africa", he told.
#Gabon #Congo
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🇬🇦 Gabon's interim president announces assembly appointments
Gabon’s interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema has revealed that members of the transitional National Assembly and senate will soon be appointed, affirming his government’s “commitment to social dialogue”.
He revealed this after meeting Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, during an official visit to Bangui on Wednesday.
It remains unclear when the appointments will be done, but the announcement comes amid negotiations to determine the individuals who should occupy the 70 seats in the National Assembly and 50 in the Senate.
The transitional president informed his CAR counterpart about the progress of the transition, adding that they also "discussed continental and sub-regional news, the strengthening of our bilateral relations and the upcoming opening of embassies in our respective countries".
#Gabon
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Gabon’s interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema has revealed that members of the transitional National Assembly and senate will soon be appointed, affirming his government’s “commitment to social dialogue”.
He revealed this after meeting Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, during an official visit to Bangui on Wednesday.
It remains unclear when the appointments will be done, but the announcement comes amid negotiations to determine the individuals who should occupy the 70 seats in the National Assembly and 50 in the Senate.
The transitional president informed his CAR counterpart about the progress of the transition, adding that they also "discussed continental and sub-regional news, the strengthening of our bilateral relations and the upcoming opening of embassies in our respective countries".
#Gabon
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🇬🇦🇫🇷 Sister of deposed Gabon president to face trial in France
Pascaline Bongo, the sister of Gabon’s deposed President Ali Bongo, will reportedly face trial in France in January 2024, on suspicion of corruption.
She is accused of facilitating public contracts in Gabon between 2010 and 2011 for the French construction firm Egis Route, for a promised reward of 8m euro.
Pascaline Bongo who served her late father, Omar Bongo, as chief of staff denies the allegations.
She “was never in contact with anyone, no contract was signed and none of the evidence points to a transfer of money”, her lawyer said.
While the legal issue targets Pascaline Bongo and Egis Route, it will also involve at least five other people.
#Gabon #France
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Pascaline Bongo, the sister of Gabon’s deposed President Ali Bongo, will reportedly face trial in France in January 2024, on suspicion of corruption.
She is accused of facilitating public contracts in Gabon between 2010 and 2011 for the French construction firm Egis Route, for a promised reward of 8m euro.
Pascaline Bongo who served her late father, Omar Bongo, as chief of staff denies the allegations.
She “was never in contact with anyone, no contract was signed and none of the evidence points to a transfer of money”, her lawyer said.
While the legal issue targets Pascaline Bongo and Egis Route, it will also involve at least five other people.
#Gabon #France
@africaintel
🇬🇦 Wife of Gabon's deposed leader jailed
Sylvia Bongo, wife of ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo, is being held in pre-trial detention on allegations of the embezzlement of public funds, her lawyer says.
She had been under house arrest since the 30 August coup.
But after a long hearing in front of a judge it was decided that she should be detained in jail.
Her lawyer criticised the decision and is quoted as calling it arbitrary and illegal.
Mrs Bongo is facing charges of money laundering, forgery and the falsification of documents. She has not made any public comment on the charges.
The former head of Gabon's cabinet, Brice Laccruche Alihanga, who was jailed four years ago on charges of embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering, gave evidence at Mrs Bongo's hearing.
The allegations against her are closely linked to the former cabinet chief.
#Gabon
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Sylvia Bongo, wife of ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo, is being held in pre-trial detention on allegations of the embezzlement of public funds, her lawyer says.
She had been under house arrest since the 30 August coup.
But after a long hearing in front of a judge it was decided that she should be detained in jail.
Her lawyer criticised the decision and is quoted as calling it arbitrary and illegal.
Mrs Bongo is facing charges of money laundering, forgery and the falsification of documents. She has not made any public comment on the charges.
The former head of Gabon's cabinet, Brice Laccruche Alihanga, who was jailed four years ago on charges of embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering, gave evidence at Mrs Bongo's hearing.
The allegations against her are closely linked to the former cabinet chief.
#Gabon
@africaintel
🇬🇦 Court gives green light to Gabon president's appointees
Gabon’s constitutional court has rejected a request from a lawyer and several political parties to annul the presidential decree appointing members of the country’s transitional parliament.
Since 6 October when national assembly members and senators were appointed, they have not begun legislative work because of a complaint filed barely three days after their selection.
The parties argued that the appointments did not conform to the transitional charter and were full of anomalies.
While denouncing the over-representation of some parties in the transitional parliament, such as ousted President Ali Bongo’s PDG, they said President Brice Oligui Nguema had violated provisions of the charter by appointing 98 MPs instead of 70, and 70 senators instead of 50.
The constitutional court found the complaints admissible on form but dismissed them on the argument they didn't comply with the law.
#Gabon
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Gabon’s constitutional court has rejected a request from a lawyer and several political parties to annul the presidential decree appointing members of the country’s transitional parliament.
Since 6 October when national assembly members and senators were appointed, they have not begun legislative work because of a complaint filed barely three days after their selection.
The parties argued that the appointments did not conform to the transitional charter and were full of anomalies.
While denouncing the over-representation of some parties in the transitional parliament, such as ousted President Ali Bongo’s PDG, they said President Brice Oligui Nguema had violated provisions of the charter by appointing 98 MPs instead of 70, and 70 senators instead of 50.
The constitutional court found the complaints admissible on form but dismissed them on the argument they didn't comply with the law.
#Gabon
@africaintel