Gabon's former president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is free to leave the country for medical treatment. He has been released from house arrest. Bongo, who had been held under house arrest since a military coup on 30 August was toppled from power shortly after he was declared the winner of much-criticised elections that would have seen him extend his 14-year rule as president.

The decision to free him follows pressure from the Central African regional bloc ECCAS and Gabon's neighbours, to respect the physical integrity of the ousted head of state. To discuss this further is channel Africa correspondent Ephraim Banda...

<p>Gabon's former president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is free to leave the country for medical treatment. He has been released from house arrest. Bongo, who had been held under house arrest since a military coup on 30 August was toppled from power shortly after he was declared the winner of much-criticised elections that would have seen him extend his 14-year rule as president.</p>
<p>The decision to free him follows pressure from the Central African regional bloc ECCAS and Gabon's neighbours, to respect the physical integrity of the ousted head of state. To discuss this further is channel Africa correspondent Ephraim Banda...</p>