Silvia, wife of former President Gabonne Ali Bongo, and his son Nuredi, flew to Luanda, Angola last night after their family was released.
Paris, May 16, 2025 – The wife and son of former Gabon President Ali Bongo were released with him 20 months after being captured by the coup leader.
Silvia and Nuredin Bongo, ages 62 and 33, flew along with the former president in Luanda, Angola on Thursday night and landed around 11:30pm local time.
Their release comes after a lawsuit in French courts and a recent intense lobbying from African Union leaders.
François Zimarley, a family lawyer, commented: “This release is the result of long-term efforts, both from justice and diplomatic perspectives.
“After 20 months of arbitrary and cruel imprisonment and torture, the family finally reunited with former President Ali Bongo.”
Sylvia and Nooredin – both French citizens – were seized in August 2023 and held on underground mobile phones, while 66-year-old Ali Bongo was under house arrest in her presidential residence.
Coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema has repeatedly argued in a media interview that while the former president has not faced allegations of fraud, Sylvia and Nuredin will survive a trial of embezzlement after the election is held.
The two maintained their innocence from the start, claiming that the accusations were politically motivated. No book of evidence presented to them during their imprisonment has been presented to them to date.
After Oligui sworn as Gabon’s new president earlier this month, African Union leaders have stepped up their diplomatic efforts to secure the release of their families.
François Zimarley commented: “Silvia and Nuredin Bongo are finally able to turn the pages and heal and rebuild their lives.
