In a significant development following last year’s military coup, Gabon’s interim government has transferred former First Lady Sylvia Bongo and her son, Nourredin Bongo, from prison detention to house arrest. The move reunites them with ousted President Ali Bongo, who has been under house arrest since the August 2023 military takeover that ended the Bongo family’s decades-long rule over Gabon.
Sylvia Bongo, aged 62, and her 33-year-old son were initially detained shortly after the coup and held in basement cells within the presidential palace in Libreville. Their transfer to house arrest on 9 May 2025 followed a hunger strike on 1 May, which resulted in their hospitalisation. The decision also came amid mounting pressure from the African Union (AU), which had called for their immediate release and guarantees regarding their health and rights.
The Bongo family faces serious accusations of embezzlement and money laundering. Supporters of the family have alleged that they were subjected to torture during their detention, claims that President Brice Oligui Nguema has firmly denied. President Nguema, who assumed office in May 2025 following an election in which he reportedly won nearly 95 per cent of the vote, has insisted that the legal proceedings against the Bongos will continue transparently.
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On 30 April 2025, the African Union lifted its suspension of Gabon, emphasising the importance of respecting human rights and the rule of law. The AU also urged that the Bongo family’s health and rights be protected during any legal process.
Meanwhile, Gabon’s former Prime Minister, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze who contested the recent presidential election against Nguema highlighted the need for impartial and transparent trials should the charges against the Bongos be pursued.
To date, the Bongo family has not made any public comments regarding their transfer from prison to house arrest. The move marks a notable shift in their detention status but leaves open questions about the outcome of ongoing investigations and potential trials.
The military coup in August 2023 abruptly ended more than 50 years of the Bongo family’s rule in Gabon, a period marked by accusations of corruption and mismanagement. Since then, President Nguema’s administration has pledged reforms and vowed to restore political stability.
