Noureddin Bongo Valentin

Noureddin Bongo Valentin (born 9 March 1992) is a Gabonese politician and businessman who served as General Coordinator of Presidential Affairs of Gabon from 2019 to 2021 under the presidency of his father, Ali Bongo Ondimba. He is the eldest son of former president Ali Bongo Ondimba and former First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba. Educated in the United Kingdom, including at Eton College, he previously worked in the agribusiness sector with Olam Gabon before entering public office.

Early life and education Bongo Valentin was born on 9 March 1992 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. He holds dual Gabonese and French citizenship through his mother. The appointment followed the stroke suffered by Ali Bongo in 2018, which had significantly affected his capacity to govern. According to Africa Intelligence, Bongo Valentin obtained a Gabonese diplomatic passport in the week preceding his departure from office.

During his time in office, Gabon's parliament voted in 2020 to decriminalise same-sex sexual relations, reversing legislation enacted the previous year. The reform was welcomed by UNAIDS and other international human rights organisations.

Arrest, trial and conviction Bongo Valentin was arrested during the 2023 Gabonese coup d'état on charges including high treason and corruption. He was detained for approximately 20 months before being released in May 2025 and permitted to leave Gabon, in a transfer reported to have been facilitated by the African Union.

On 11–12 November 2025, the Libreville Special Criminal Court convicted Bongo Valentin and his mother in absentia of concealment and embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, criminal association and forgery, and sentenced each to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of 100 million CFA francs (approximately €152,000). The court additionally ordered them to pay damages exceeding 1.2 trillion CFA francs to the Gabonese state. Prosecutors alleged that the defendants had exploited Ali Bongo's diminished health following his 2018 stroke to control state funds for private benefit.

Torture allegations and French proceedings Following his release, Bongo Valentin alleged that he had been subjected to torture and inhumane treatment during his detention in Gabon, including beatings, waterboarding and electrocution at sites including Libreville Central Prison and a facility beneath the presidential palace.

Personal life Bongo Valentin is married to Léa Bongo, a French national, with whom he has three sons. The family resides in London.