Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo ended the hunger strike. Bongo had stopped eating food since May 14th in protest against the treatment of his wife Sylvia and their son Noureddin, who are jailed. Their lawyers described their continued imprisonment as “kidnapping” and “acts of torture.” The concern for their well-being remains high, especially with the forthcoming judicial recess starting on July 1st.
Ali Bongo ended the hunger strike in late May, before the visit of President Brice Oligui Nguema to France on 28th May. “His closest entourage begged him to stop. He had lost weight, and his mobility was deteriorating,” said a friend of the family. “Until now, he has been in good health, but it is reported he hasn’t eaten now for two weeks,” according to sources in Gabon. A former physiotherapist has been recalled to his care.
There has been a rumour of an imminent deal between Bongo and the present government, because just a few days after suspending his hunger strike, Bongo’s two sons, Jalil and Bilal, who were living with him, left Gabon and are now in London with their sister-in-law Léa. “They are receiving some psychological support because they were mistreated and traumatized,” said a source close to the family.
Ali Bongo is increasingly isolated, his wife and eldest son still languishing in prison. “The judicial recess starts this Monday. The investigating judge will be away until August 19th, so nothing will move on the case,” said a reliable source. For the duration, no hearings or judicial activity will happen. “They are not allowed to see their attorneys, and they are under great pressure and demoralized,” said a close associate, who mentioned that even after the letter from the Minister of Justice, their attorney is not allowed to have visits with them in jail.
The probe is still not complete. Background checks and resume scrutiny had been going on, and they were at the tail end. But the judge feels more confrontations and hearings are necessary.
In the developing situation, the fate of Ali Bongo’s family still remains unclear, but legal and political implications will be far-reaching, way beyond the borders of Gabon.