ALI ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’ BONGO GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE

Gabon's deposed president, Ali Bongo, who last year pleaded with friends around the world to “make some noise" after he was overthrown in a military coup, has gone on hunger strike - in protest over his and his family’s alleged torture. According to the family's lawyer, two of his youngest sons, Jalil and Bilal, have decided to join him on the hunger strike.

Ali Bongo was placed under house arrest in the capital, Libreville, along with Jalil and Bilal, after a group of Gabonese soldiers staged a coup and annulled the results of the country's disputed presidential election in August 2023, in which he was declared the winner with 64.27% of the vote. He was set to rule the Central African nation for a third term, having succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who had been in power from 1967 to 2009 (when he died).

In October 2023, Gabon's new leadership also imprisoned the deposed first lady, Sylvia Bongo, and her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo, on corruption and embezzlement charges. On May 14th, the family's lawyer claimed in a statement cited by AFP that both had been subjected to physical assault while in custody.

The oil-rich Central African nation is part of OPEC and was colonised by France until 1960, when it became independent. It is currently under the leadership of Brice Oligui Nguema, a military officer who is serving as interim-president.