Former Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family members have been released from detention and have arrived in Angola's capital, Luanda, the Angolan presidency announced on Friday.

The release comes following diplomatic initiatives by Angola's President João Lourenço, who currently serves as the President-in-Office of the African Union, in discussions with Gabon's new leader, President Brice Oligui Nguema.

"Following the initiatives made by the President of the Republic of Angola and President-in-Office of the African Union, João Lourenço, with President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, the Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda," the Angolan presidency stated in a post on X.

Bongo, his French-born wife Sylvia, and their son Noureddin had been detained since August 2023 following a military coup that ended the 55-year Bongo dynasty in Gabon. The family faced accusations of embezzling public funds during their time in power.

The coup that ousted Bongo was led by Nguema, who was initially a junta leader before being sworn in as president in early May 2025. The military takeover brought an end to one of Africa's longest-running political dynasties, which began with Ali Bongo's father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 42 years until his death in 2009.

The release of the Bongo family represents a significant development in Gabon's post-coup political landscape and may signal a new approach by the Nguema administration toward reconciliation and diplomatic relations within the region.

Angola's involvement in securing the Bongo family's release highlights President Lourenço's growing influence in regional diplomacy and conflict resolution across Central Africa.