Image Credit: Amanda Lucidon
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, the wife of Gabon's ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been charged with "money laundering" and other offenses following the coup that toppled her husband last month. The announcement was made by the public prosecutor, Andre Patrick Roponat, who revealed that Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin was charged by an investigating judge and remains under house arrest in the capital, Libreville.
This development comes in the wake of significant political upheaval in the oil-rich nation, which saw Ali Bongo Ondimba being overthrown by military leaders shortly after being declared the winner in a presidential election.
The opposition and military coup leaders denounced the election result as fraudulent and accused Ali Bongo's regime of widespread corruption and poor governance.
Furthermore, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin and Ali Bongo's son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, have both faced charges related to corruption and embezzlement of public funds, along with former cabinet members and ex-ministers.
Gabon, a central African country, has experienced a turbulent period of change in leadership, as Ali Bongo took over from his father Omar in 2009 after nearly 42 years of his rule. These recent developments reflect the ongoing challenges and shifts in Gabonese politics and governance.
