Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Reportedly on Hunger Strike Amid Allegations of Torture..

By Caroline Ameh

Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, along with his two sons, Jalil and Bilal, have embarked on a hunger strike in protest against alleged acts of torture and mistreatment.

The family’s legal representatives revealed on Wednesday that they are enduring severe hardships since Mr. Bongo’s ousting in a military coup in August last year, following a contentious presidential election.

“After being deposed, my client, Mr. Bongo, and his sons have been subjected to unspeakable acts of cruelty,” stated the family’s lawyer in a press release.

Mr. Bongo and his sons were confined to their residence in the capital city of Libreville, while his wife Sylvia Bongo and eldest son Noureddin were imprisoned on corruption charges.

The family’s lawyers issued a statement detailing the alleged atrocities, accusing authorities of subjecting Noureddin to repeated torture, including beatings with blunt objects, strangulation, whipping, and electric shocks from a taser.

“Our client Noureddin was repeatedly tortured, beaten with a hammer and crowbar, strangled, whipped, and electrocuted with a taser,” the lawyers’ statement read.

“Sylvia was beaten, strangled, and forced to watch Noureddin’s torture,” the statement further alleged.

Despite these grave allegations, Gabonese authorities have remained silent on the matter, prompting concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency surrounding the treatment of the former presidential family.

Ali Bongo, aged 64, had governed the oil-rich nation since 2009, succeeding his father, who had held power for over four decades. The family’s legal team has taken action by filing a complaint with the Paris judicial court, coinciding with an upcoming visit to France by Gabon’s junta leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema.

“Our goal is to seek justice for the injustices inflicted upon our client and his family,” the family’s lawyer emphasized.

The situation in Gabon continues to draw international attention, with calls for thorough investigations into the allegations of torture and mistreatment leveled against the deposed president and his family.