Former Prime Minister Bilie-By-Nze's detention conditions detailed by Jeune Afrique
via Gabon Review3 min read
Jeune Afrique, in an investigation published on June 10, 2026, by Jeanne Le Bihan, has shed light on the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze at Libreville Central Prison. Detained since April 15 in connection with an alleged eighteen-year-old fraud case, Bilie-By-Nze was initially placed in an individual, windowless cell in the prison's most feared annex. Upon his arrival, his glasses were confiscated, a measure reportedly linked to a previous incident involving Noureddin Bongo-Valentin, who allegedly used hidden camera glasses to film from his cell. A close associate described Bilie-By-Nze as being in "total darkness." By early June, his situation improved: he regained his glasses, was moved to a cell with a window, and was allowed access to novels, though newspapers and political essays remained prohibited. Despite these changes, his isolation continued, with no contact with other detainees permitted as of June 9. However, Jeune Afrique reported that he would now share the same prison quarter as Pascal Ogowe Siffon, former Minister of Tourism, who has been in pre-trial detention since last Christmas for alleged embezzlement of over 10 billion CFA francs in public funds. On the legal front, Bilie-By-Nze's defense suffered a setback on June 2 when their request to annul the proceedings was rejected. His lawyers argue the decision was illegal and that the statute of limitations for the alleged facts has long expired, maintaining the case is
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