We denounce the hostage taking of an entire family outside of any legal framework:

 

• Jalil and Bilal Bongo, sons of Ali and Sylvia Bongo : sequestered in a neutral location then at their home and deprived of means of communication with the outside world, victims of threats and intimidation, victims of acts of torture, from August 30, 2023 until June 2024 when they were able to return to their country of residence.

 

• Léa Bongo and her children (7 years old, 4 years old, 1 year old) : sequestered in their home and deprived of means of communication with the outside world from the evening of August 29, 2023 until November 2023, then prohibited from leaving Gabonese territory until January 2024 when they were able to return to their country of residence.

 

In October 2023, the Gabonese authorities made a false announcement in which it was declared that Jalil, Bilal, Léa and the children were free to move around the national territory and were not subject to any legal proceedings.

This was not the case since they were all being held captive by the military.