Sylvia Bongo Valentin, the wife of Gabon’s ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been charged with “money laundering” and other offenses, according to the public prosecutor. This comes a month after a coup led to her husband’s removal from power.
Key points:
- Sylvia Bongo Valentin has been under house arrest in the capital since her husband’s overthrow on August 30, following his contested victory in a presidential election.
- Her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already faced charges of corruption and embezzlement of public funds, along with several former cabinet members and ex-ministers.
- The former first lady’s house arrest order has been upheld, and she was charged by an investigating judge on Thursday.
- Earlier this month, one of her lawyers raised concerns about her being kept “incommunicado outside any legal framework.”
- Ali Bongo took power in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled Gabon for nearly 42 years. Ali Bongo’s rule ended in August after the contested election, with the opposition and military coup leaders alleging electoral fraud, widespread corruption, and poor governance during his tenure.
These developments reflect the ongoing political and legal challenges facing members of the Bongo family in the aftermath of the recent political upheaval in Gabon.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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