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According to reports, Ali Bongo, the ousted president of Gabon, has initiated a hunger strike in protest against the alleged torture inflicted upon him and his family, who have been detained since August. His legal representatives made this announcement on Tuesday.
Francois Zimeray, the family's lawyer, revealed to Radio France Internationale (RFI) that Ali Bongo's two youngest sons, Jalil and Bilal, have opted to join their father in this protest due to being deprived of their freedom for nine months.
Zimeray was quoted by RFI as saying, "Their mother and brothers have been detained and subjected to torture, and they themselves are being denied the fundamental rights recognized by all."
Ali Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 14 years, was placed under house arrest in the capital city of Libreville, along with Jalil and Bilal, following a coup staged by a group of Gabonese soldiers that annulled the results of the disputed presidential election in August.
Initially declared the winner with 64.27% of the vote, Ali Bongo was set for a third term in power to govern the Central African nation, succeeding his father, Omar Bongo, who had been in office since 1967.
Subsequently, in October, the new leadership also detained the ousted first lady, Sylvia Bongo, and her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo, on charges of corruption and embezzlement.
On Tuesday, the legal representatives of the Bongo family alleged in a statement quoted by AFP that Noureddin and Sylvia had been physically assaulted while in custody. They detailed that Noureddin had endured "multiple instances of torture, including being struck with a hammer and crowbar, strangled, whipped, and even subjected to electrocution with a Taser."
“They declared that Sylvia Bongo, compelled to witness the torture, was subjected to physical assault and strangulation, as part of a systematic campaign to strip the family of its assets,” they asserted.
The legal team mentioned that they had lodged a complaint with the Paris Judicial Court ahead of an upcoming visit to France by Gabon's new leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema.
“These are grave offenses, and the perpetrators must face justice. Therefore, there will be an investigation, summonses will be issued, and if they fail to comply, international arrest warrants will follow,” attorney Zimeray informed RFI, stating that they “possess the identities of those involved in or endorsing these acts of confinement, torture, and brutality.”
