How morocco allegedly spies on an african ally

In late March 2019, Ali Bongo returned to Gabon. Weakened, the former strongman stepped back from the limelight. Some say that the “young team,” along with Noureddin Bongo and his mother, Sylvia, were considered the true power brokers. 

According to press reports at the time, the young Laccruche started to overshadow Noureddin. In a cabinet reshuffle, he was dismissed from his role as chief of staff, then arrested in December 2019 and placed in pretrial detention as part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption investigation. Noureddin Bongo officially joined the government when Ali Bongo appointed him General Coordinator of Presidential Affairs. 

Four years later, another military coup shook the country in 2023. This time, the head of the Republican Guard, Brice Oligui Nguema, seized power. Noureddin, Sylvia and several members of the “young team” were arrested and charged with corruption: embezzling public funds, money laundering and abuse of office, among other crimes. They denied the charges outright. Noureddin was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison. In an article in Le Monde, Noureddin contested the charges and claimed he was tortured in prison.

Several of the victims expressed certainty that they had been regularly wiretapped and carried three or four phones to try to confuse the authorities. But regarding Pegasus, they doubted that such an expensive piece of software had been used against them.

Jean Ping, a 2016 presidential candidate whose number was on the list of potential targets from March 18, 2019, was not shocked. “Wiretapping is common in Gabon,” he said. “If it’s proven, I might file a complaint.” At press time, Mintogo had not responded to questions sent by Forbidden Stories. 

When contacted, neither Noureddin Bongo nor Brice Laccruche Alihanga responded to our questions. Nor did the Kingdom of Morocco, the Gabonese government, or a representative of Ali Bongo.