A few weeks after the highly publicized opening of their trial in Libreville, the verdict is now known. The former First Lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba , and her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin have been sentenced in absentia to 20 years' imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds , following a judgment handed down by the Specialized Criminal Court of Libreville.

A historic conviction

This verdict marks a major turning point in Gabon's judicial history. The court ruled that the two defendants had set up a system to embezzle public funds for private gain, resulting in considerable financial losses for the state.

Sylvia Bongo was found guilty of receiving and misappropriating public funds, money laundering, usurpation of funds and incitement to forgery .

His son Noureddin, former general coordinator of presidential affairs, was found guilty of embezzlement of public funds, bribery, usurpation of titles and functions, aggravated money laundering and criminal association .

Heavy financial penalties

In addition to the prison sentences, the court imposed a fine of 100 million CFA francs (approximately 152,000 euros) on each of the two convicts.

They will also have to pay the Gabonese state more than 1,201 billion CFA francs (nearly 1.83 billion euros) for financial damages, as well as 1,000 billion CFA francs (1.52 billion euros) for moral damages.

A trial in absentia

Neither Sylvia nor Noureddin Bongo were present at the hearing. Both are currently believed to reside in London, and their lawyers did not participate in the proceedings.

This conviction in absentia leaves uncertainties as to the concrete implementation of the sentence, but reflects the firm will of the new Gabonese authorities resulting from the coup of August 30, 2023 to break with the practices of the old regime .