In Gabon, Patience Dabany, the mother of Ali Bongo, was granted permission by the new authorities to visit her son on Saturday, December 23. This marked their first meeting since the coup on August 30, 2023. To secure the visit, Patience Dabany employed a strong approach.
Patience Dabany orchestrated a systematic campaign on social media. In early December, she circulated a video of herself staging a sit-in at the entrance of the castle where her son, Ali Bongo, resides. Sensing a lack of response from the authorities, the former wife of Omar Bongo took to social media with fiery audio messages against the Transitional President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma.
“I just want to see my son, take care of his foot and arm,” she pleaded. Denouncing a praetorian guard around the residence of the former head of state, Patience Dabany questioned whether Ali Bongo was still alive or dead. “Oligui sees his mother whenever he wants. Why does he prevent me from seeing my son?” she lamented.
The military eventually gave in, allowing Patience Dabany to enter Ali Bongo’s private residence. A short 17-second video was circulated on social media, showing Ali Bongo walking without his cane, sleeves rolled up, and sharing a long embrace with his mother.