Gabon’s former president Ali Bongo, who was ousted in a putsch, is free to leave the country and travel abroad.

General Brice Oligui Nguema the leader of the coup that toppled him said this in a statement on Wednesday read on state television.

Bongo, in power for 14 years, had been under house arrest since the military coup of August 30, carried out without bloodshed less than an hour after his party proclaimed his re-election in a vote described as fraudulent by the putschists.

Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi said, reading a press release signed by Oligui, said Bongo has freedom of movement and can travel abroad if he wishes to carry out his medical checks.

Bongo suffered a serious stroke in October 2018 which left him physically impaired, with particular difficulty moving his right leg and arm.