Ali Bongo according to the government is allowed to move freely. The president of Gabon prior to this released a video in which he asked for assistance. The video was not a political prisoner asking for help, rather an indirect message for military intervention. Ali Bongo assumed that France would come to restore him to office. France is the reason the Bongo family has remained in power for half a century. The government states that he was released on medical grounds. Ali Bongo is free to go abroad for medical check-ups. What it sounds like is that the government is encouraging exile. Some might have the desire to see the Bongo family prosecuted for crimes that took place for the past 55 years. The country is not entire free of the family. The current president Brice Nguema is a cousin of Bongo. This is the reason why Ali Bongo might not be charged or remain incarcerated. Ali Bongo does have health concerns considering he did suffer a stroke five years ago. The Nguema government does not want to be accused of trying to worsen Ali Bongo's health. The coup was a bloodless one and there is no desire to have a civil war. A trial might not happen. Enough evidence has to be gathered to expose wrong doing. While there is evidence of kleptocracy, Bongo loyalists might still have an influence on the criminal justice system. Ali Bongo could remain free and unpunished. The Bongos could face charges such as embezzlement, electoral fraud, and human rights abuse.
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