Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a military coup in August 2023, has officially left Gabon and is now in Angola with his wife, Sylvia, and son, Noureddin. The Angolan presidency confirmed their arrival in Luanda. This move marks the end of the Bongo family’s 56-year political dynasty, which was ended by a military takeover led by General Brice Oligui Nguema. Nguema was formally elected president last month. The African Union, currently headed by Angolan President João Lourenço, had repeatedly requested Gabon's new authorities to release Bongo and his family.

Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo were imprisoned on corruption and money laundering charges following the coup. Sylvia Bongo’s legal team has consistently labeled her detention as “arbitrary and illegal.” Their release and the subsequent relocation of the Bongo family to Angola followed a diplomatic visit by Angolan President João Lourenço to Gabon’s capital, Libreville, where he met with President Brice Oligui Nguema. Five days after Sylvia and Noureddin were released from prison and transferred to house arrest, the entire Bongo family departed for Angola.

Photographs have been released showing Bongo arriving in Luanda, marking the end of months of speculation over the family’s fate. The Angolan presidency credited the release and relocation of the Bongos to “demonstrations made” by Lourenço following his visit to Libreville. Ties between Angola and Gabon had cooled down during the transition period following the coup, but Lourenço’s visit aimed to improve relations with Oligui Nguema.

Following the coup, Ali Bongo was initially placed under house arrest, although Gabonese authorities maintained he was free to move about. His wife and son were detained in prison until they were transferred to house arrest shortly before their departure. In statements made since the coup, Bongo condemned what he described as the “violence and torture” endured by his wife and son—allegations the Gabonese government has denied.

The Bongo family has long faced criticism over alleged corruption and the mismanagement of Gabon’s oil wealth. Despite the country’s substantial natural resources, around a third of its population lives below the poverty line, according to United Nations data. Critics of the Bongo regime have long accused the family of siphoning state resources to fund an opulent lifestyle while basic services such as healthcare and education remained underdeveloped. Their departure marks the end of 19 months spent in captivity in Libreville.

It is still unclear whether legal proceedings against Sylvia and Noureddin will continue.