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Deposed Gabonese President Ali Bongo and his two sons, Jalil and Bilal, have embarked on a hunger strike in protest against what they describe as severe mistreatment, including acts of torture, according to statements from their legal team.
Ali Bongo, who had been at the helm of Gabon since 2009 following his father’s four-decade rule, was overthrown in a military coup last August after winning a controversial election. Post-coup, Bongo and his sons were confined to their residence in Libreville, while his wife Sylvia and eldest son Noureddin were jailed on charges of corruption.
The family’s lawyers released distressing details in a statement on Tuesday, claiming that Noureddin has been subjected to repeated torture, involving beatings with a hammer and crowbar, strangulation, whipping, and electrocution with a taser. The statement also alleges that Sylvia was physically assaulted, strangled, and forced to witness the torture inflicted on her son.
So far, the Gabonese authorities have not responded to these allegations.
The timing of these revelations coincides with the filing of a complaint by the Bongo family’s lawyers with the judicial court in Paris, just a week before the leader of Gabon’s ruling junta, General Brice Oligui Nguema, is scheduled to visit France.
India Sends Relief Aid to Kenya Following Floods
In a gesture of solidarity, India provided 40 tons of critical relief supplies to support Kenyans affected by the devastating floods. The consignment, delivered on May 14th, 2024, included essential items to aid relief and rehabilitation efforts in the worst-hit regions.
The Indian aid package addressed a wide range of urgent needs. It contained 22 tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) items, including tents, sleeping bags, blankets, and power generators. Ready-to-eat meals, sanitation kits, and hygiene supplies will provide immediate comfort to displaced families.
The package also included a vital 18 tons of medical aid. This comprised life-saving drugs, surgical equipment for critical care, and wound management supplies. Additionally, the consignment contained items vital for child health, water purification, and women’s hygiene.
In addition, India included mosquito repellents, malaria and dengue diagnostic kits, along with anti-venom treatments. These crucial supplies will help medical teams prevent and manage potential health emergencies.
The Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Ms. Namgya Khampa, officially handed over the relief materials to Kenyan government officials. The Indian government also expressed its deepest sympathies to those impacted by the floods.
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