Former leader goes on hunger strike

Gabon's deposed President Ali Bongo and two of his sons have gone on hunger strike to protest against their alleged subjection to ‘acts of torture and barbarity’. The military in August ousted him from the Presidency in a coup due to lack of transparency in the election process and established a junta called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions. He was then confined to his house in the capital, Libreville, along with two of his sons, Jalil and Bilal. BBC News reports that the ruling junta also placed his wife Sylvia Bongo and eldest son Noureddin in prison, awaiting trial on corruption allegations. In a statement, their lawyers alleged that Noureddin and Sylvia were beaten and strangled while in detention. They also allege that Noureddin was tortured, whipped and electrocuted with a taser. The family' lawyers say they have also filed a complaint with the Paris judicial court, a week before Gabon's junta leader General Brice Oligui Nguema is due to visit France.