Recent news in Gabon was marked by the release of Brice Laccruche Alihanga, former chief of staff of Ali Bongo, who had been in prison since December 2019. This release, which occurred on the night of Friday October 20 to Saturday October 21, was greeted with surprise and emotion. Indeed, Laccruche Alihanga’s lawyers had argued in favor of his release on humanitarian grounds, highlighting his precarious state of health. The former chief of staff of Ali Bongo had indeed lost a lot of weight and seemed frail and tired when he appeared for the first time in public since his release from prison.
This release marks a turning point in the affair which earned Laccruche Alihanga his disgrace and incarceration. Former strongman of the Gabonese regime after the stroke suffered by Ali Bongo in October 2018, Laccruche Alihanga was accused of embezzlement of public funds and was imprisoned as part of an anti-corruption operation.
Regardless of his release, Laccruche Alihanga’s legal troubles are not yet over. He, his brother Grégory and the former Minister of Transport, Justin Ndoundangoye, are still being prosecuted for the acts with which they are accused and are now placed under house arrest. They will have to answer charges of embezzlement of public funds in court.
This affair highlights the desire of the Gabonese authorities to fight corruption and clean up the country’s political system. It also raises questions about the responsibility of certain members of President Ali Bongo’s close circle, who were involved in these embezzlement cases.
The release of Brice Laccruche Alihanga opens a new stage in this judicial and political process. The next developments in this affair will be closely followed by the Gabonese population, who are awaiting answers and concrete measures to fight corruption and promote transparency within public administration.