Gabon’s deposed President Ali Bongo has announced his retirement from politics, a year after being ousted from power in a military coup.
“I wish to reiterate my retirement from political life and my complete renunciation of any national ambitions,” Bongo said in a letter to the Gabonese people.
The 65-year-old also called for the release of his wife and son, who are in detention awaiting trial on corruption charges.
It was unclear whether his comments were following negotiations with the junta or whether he hopes that agreeing to step down from politics will ensure freedom for his family.
Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and his health has been a major concern for many ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The military seized power last August, shortly after Bongo was declared the winner of elections contested by the opposition.
The president of Gabon has led the oil-rich country since 2009, succeeding his father who had been in power for more than four decades. His family has strong ties to France, Gabon’s former colonial power.
The coup, led by General Brice Origi Ngeuma, was welcomed domestically but condemned by regional and continental groups, as well as France.
A week after the military seized power, the deposed president was released from house arrest but remains in the capital, Libreville.
General Nguema has so far adopted a conciliatory stance towards the deposed president, saying he is free to travel abroad.
But Bongo said in the letter that his movements remain restricted and he is monitored daily.
“My visits depend on the military’s permission. I am isolated from the outside world, have no contact and no idea about my family,” he added.
He also called for an end to the “violence and torture” against his French-born wife, Sylvia, and his son, Noureddine, and said they should both be released.
His wife and son are in pretrial detention on suspicion of embezzlement of public funds.
Bongo has been charged with money laundering, forgery and document forgery, but has not commented publicly on the charges.
Her lawyer, François Gimelais, reportedly criticised her detention last year, calling it arbitrary and illegal.
Bongo said his wife and son were “helpless scapegoats”, adding that his decision to retire from politics also applied to them.
Military officials have not commented on Bongo’s remarks but have denied previous allegations that they had tortured his family.
Bongo and his family have been accused of lining their own pockets at the expense of the country during their decades in power, charges they deny.
Gabon is an oil-rich country, but according to the United Nations, a third of its 2.4 million people live below the poverty line.
While acknowledging the shortcomings of his presidency, President Bongo hoped the military junta would end “the suffering of the people” and called for national reconciliation.
“Despite the achievements made under my mandate, I understand that too many Gabonese people are still suffering, and this is my greatest regret.”
General Nguema has promised to hold free and fair elections and install a new civilian government.
But he has not commented publicly on whether he will run for the country’s top job in elections scheduled for next year.
“I call on our country, its leaders and people to renounce revenge and write the next chapter of history with harmony and humanity,” Bongo added, vowing not to pose any threats or problems during the country’s transition period.