By RFIPalled on 13-08-2019Modified on 13-08-2019 at 04:19

The Gabonese justice will review the appeal by opponents of a medical expertise of Ali Bongo to assess whether he is fit to perform his duties, ten months after a stroke.

Since he uttered a few words when he returned to Libreville at the end of March, after five months of convalescence abroad following a stroke in Saudi Arabia last October, Ali Bongo did not speak live and in public .

It was this silence that pushed the collective "Call to Action" , a group of a dozen opposition and civil society figures, to file an appeal to ask the court to appoint a doctor for medical expertise. on the state of health of Ali Bongo.

In early May, a court ruled in first instance inadmissible this request. Reason: only the Constitutional Court seized by the Government or both Houses of Parliament may find the impediment. But Monday, the Libreville Court of Appeal refused to relinquish the case and set a hearing on August 26.

An important first step in the eyes of Ange Kevin Nzigou, one of the personalities who demand expertise. " Even if it does not bode the decision that will be made on the merits, this is the first time in the history of Gabon that a judge can say no to the President of the Republic, he welcomes. This is an important step forward in the justice management mechanism in our country. "

Mr. Aimery Bhongo-Mavoungou, Ali Bongo's lawyer, opposes this decision since the file, he explains, is in cassation and does not allow the Court of Appeal to go further in the procedure.

On what legal basis would you therefore want the Court of Appeal to continue the examination of a case which must be before the Court of Cassation. We will do everything possible, but then make every effort to keep the law at bay.

Aimery Bhongo-Mavoungou, one of Ali Bongo's lawyers

13-08-2019 - By Marie-Pierre Olphand

    On the same subject

    Gabon: Ali Bongo's Speech Reacts Policies

    Gabon: Ali Bongo receives his Ivorian counterpart

    Gabon: Ali Bongo chairs first Cabinet meeting after convalescence

    Gabon: "Call for action" calls for medical expertise from Ali Bongo

    Ali Bongo returns to Gabon after several months of convalescence in Morocco

    comments