Gabonese lawmaker Augustin Lobelle Yembi is set to face judicial proceedings in Gabon after being transferred from Rwanda following an alleged assault on a Kigali International Airport employee.
Yembi was arrested on September 3 after an altercation with the airport staff member while transiting through Kigali. A video circulating online appeared to show the MP physically attacking the employee.
Gabonese authorities said the lawmaker was handed over to judicial officials after diplomatic discussions between Kigali and Libreville.
Gabon’s National Assembly Speaker Michel Régis Onanga Ndiaye said Yembi had been removed from Rwanda’s justice system and returned to Gabon. Foreign Minister Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny also confirmed his transfer, citing the close relations between the two countries.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation remain unclear. RwandAir had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Yembi, 46, is an independent member of Gabon’s National Assembly representing Lolo-Bouenguidi constituency in Ogooué-Lolo province. He previously belonged to the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) before leaving the party.
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