JUST IN: OUSTED PRESIDENT BONGO OF GABON FREE TO TRAVEL OUT - MILITARY JUNTA

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I will not travel without my son, Noureddin – Ousted President Bongo

General Brice Oligie Nguema, the transitional president appointed by rebels in Gabon, has granted ousted President Ali Bongo permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, citing concerns about his health.

“Given the health condition of the former President of the Republic, Ali Bongo has the freedom of movement. If he wants to, he can travel abroad for medical control,” a spokesperson for the newly installed administration said.

However, sources close to the Bongo family have disclosed that ousted President Ali Bongo will not travel out of Gabon until he is sure of the safety of his son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin who was also arrested in the wake of the military coup.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a member of a dynasty that has ruled since 1967, was overthrown on Wednesday by officers under the command of Oligui, the head of the elite Republican Guard.

Moments after Bongo, 64, was declared the winner of last month’s presidential election, which the opposition dubbed a fraud, he was ousted.

“I swear before God and the Gabonese people to faithfully preserve the republican regime,” said Oligui.

In front of judges from the Constitutional Court, Oligui took the oath to “preserve the achievements of democracy” while donning the crimson ceremonial uniform of the Republican Guard.

In an initial speech, he promised to amnesty “prisoners of conscience” and host “free… (and) transparent elections” during an unspecified transition period.

On Wednesday, the coup leaders said they had overthrown the government, annulled the election results, and temporarily shut down the borders.