Balanced News: Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo ‘free to go abroad’ says post-coup leader

Former president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a coup, has been granted freedom of movement and can travel abroad, according to the leader of the coup. Bongo had been under house arrest since the military takeover in August, following a disputed election. The coup leader cited Bongo’s health condition as the reason for granting him permission to travel abroad. Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 that left him physically impaired. He took office in 2009, succeeding his father who ruled Gabon for 41 years. The coup leader has been accused of perpetuating the “Bongo system.”