In Gabon, a radical decision was taken by the president of the transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Indeed, Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Bongo, half-brother of the deposed president, was removed from the ranks of the army and the Republican Guard. This measure, announced by the Ministry of Defense led by General Oligui Nguema himself, follows serious mistakes committed by Frédéric Bongo.
The reasons for this removal are particularly severe: “Fault against honor, probity and general duties”, “mistakes against military discipline” and “breaches of the rules for the execution of services”. This is therefore a decision with serious consequences for Frédéric Bongo, who thus sees his military career brutally interrupted.
This radiation is not the first for the lieutenant-colonel. Indeed, on March 12, 2022, he had already been sanctioned by a similar measure, which had however not been ratified by his half-brother, then head of state. But this time, the president of the transition has made the decision to definitively end his military career.
Frédéric Bongo’s troubles began after Ali Bongo’s stroke in October 2018. At that time, the officer, trained at Saint-Cyr in France, was ousted from his post as Director General of Special Services, the powerful intelligence service of the presidency. Since then, his career has been marked by a series of difficulties and twists and turns, leading him today to this dismissal from the army.
It is important to note that Frédéric Bongo is renowned for being close to Israel and French services. His return to the presidential palace was made possible thanks to his nephew, Noureddin Bongo, to whom he remained faithful. This complex situation undoubtedly contributed to his dismissal from the army, but the precise details of this affair still remain unclear.
This decision taken by the president of the transition arouses a certain controversy in Gabon. Some see it as a desire to purge the army of members of the Bongo family, while others emphasize the need to punish the mistakes that have been committed. In any case, this radiation marks a break in the military career of Frédéric Bongo and underlines the tensions which persist within the country.
In conclusion, the removal of Lieutenant-Colonel Frédéric Bongo from the army and the Republican Guard in Gabon is a strong decision with serious consequences. The reasons given in the decree are severe and reflect the serious faults committed by the officer. This situation is reminiscent of the political unrest that has shaken the country since Ali Bongo’s stroke in 2018.