Gabon’s former First Lady, Sylvia Bongo, has been charged with multiple offenses including money laundering, receiving stolen property, and forgery. The charges were announced by Public Prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat, who stated that Sylvia Bongo’s case had been presented before an investigating judge. She is currently under house arrest.
Sylvia Bongo’s charges come after a period of uncertainty regarding her whereabouts. She was placed under house arrest on August 30th following the ousting of her husband, former President Ali Bongo, by the military. The decision to charge the former First Lady coincides with the charges brought against her son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, who has been charged with corruption and embezzlement and is currently in pre-trial detention.
Meanwhile, Ali Bongo, who faced numerous allegations of corruption during his presidency, has been released by the military junta and has been cleared to travel abroad for medical treatment if needed.
This development in Gabon’s political landscape marks a significant step in the fight against corruption and reinforces the commitment of the government to hold accountable those involved in unlawful activities.
BBC/Jide Johnson
