A Gabonese court has handed 20-year prison sentences to Sylvia Bongo, the former first lady, and her son, Noureddin Bongo, following a brief trial that lasted just two days. The verdict was announced late Tuesday, with both individuals found guilty of embezzlement and corruption despite their absence during the proceedings.
Alongside their prison sentences, the Bongo family members were also fined 100 million CFA francs (approximately $177,000; £135,000). In a significant move, Noureddin was ordered to pay an additional 1.2 trillion CFA francs (about $2.1 billion; £1.6 billion) to compensate for the financial damages inflicted upon the Gabonese state. Prosecutors accused them of taking advantage of Ali Bongo’s health crisis after he suffered a stroke in 2018, allegedly utilizing his condition to mismanage the country for personal gain. They have vehemently denied these allegations, characterizing the trial as “a legal farce.”
Coup and its aftermath
The convictions come in the wake of a military coup in August 2023, which resulted in the ousting of Ali Bongo, who had served as president for 14 years. The coup was led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who has since transitioned from military leader to elected president. Following their detention for 20 months, Sylvia and Noureddin were granted release on medical grounds and permitted to leave for London in May.
Interestingly, the former president, Ali Bongo, has not faced any charges and was released from house arrest, with authorities stating he is free to move within the country. During the trial, Gabonese prosecutor Eddy Minang expressed surprise at the absence of the defendants as the proceedings commenced.
Political implications and allegations
Noureddin Bongo has dismissed the trial as a “rubber-stamping exercise,” asserting that the outcome was predetermined long before the court session began. He expressed disappointment over the conviction, which occurred without what he described as “any semblance of evidence.” This swift legal process has raised eyebrows, with many viewing it as politically motivated, as the trial was anticipated to continue until Friday.
The trial is not over, as it has been reported that nine co-defendants, former associates of the Bongo family, will continue their legal battles in court. Sylvia Bongo, born in France and holding French citizenship alongside her son, has alleged that she and Noureddin experienced torture during their detention, a claim that Gabonese officials have categorically denied.
As the General Coordinator of Presidential Affairs, Noureddin was specifically implicated in orchestrating a corruption network, with accusations of misusing the president’s signature and seal to misappropriate state funds. The Bongo family has governed Gabon for over fifty years, with Ali Bongo succeeding his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled for 42 years. Throughout their reign, the family has faced numerous accusations of enriching themselves at the expense of the nation, despite the fact that Gabon is an oil-rich country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty, according to United Nations reports.