The Speaker of Gabon’s Parliament, Michel Régis Onanga Ndiaye, said Yembi had been released by Rwandan judicial authorities and handed over to Gabon.

Yembi had been detained in Rwanda pending trial over allegations of assaulting a RwandAir employee at Kigali International Airport. Rwandan authorities allowed him to leave the country on September 6.

Gabon’s Parliament said the development followed diplomatic efforts by both countries and reflected the relations between Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, according to media reports from Gabon.

How the incident unfolded

Videos circulated by Gabonese media appear to show the lawmaker slapping an airport employee. The circumstances that led to the confrontation had not initially been explained.

Yembi is reported to have arrived in Rwanda while in transit to another country. After landing at Kigali International Airport, he reportedly had several hours before his connecting flight and decided to leave the airport and stay at a hotel.

When the time for his flight approached, he returned to the airport like other passengers, went through the required checks and was issued a boarding pass.

Sources indicate that Yembi consumed alcoholic beverages while at the hotel and returned to the airport.

After receiving his boarding pass, he proceeded through the airport towards the final access point leading to the boarding area. At the last gate, he was asked to present his boarding pass and passport.

According to sources, Yembi refused to provide the documents and attempted to proceed without showing them. When airport staff insisted, he reportedly placed the documents on a desk and slapped an airport employee.

He was immediately arrested and detained. Rwandan authorities informed their Gabonese counterparts, after which diplomatic discussions began and eventually led to his release and return to Gabon.

Yembi’s return to Gabon does not mean the matter has been concluded. He is expected to face proceedings in Gabon, who will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what action should follow.

Gabon’s Parliament said it was awaiting the official case file before deciding on any measures that could affect Yembi’s position as a lawmaker, particularly matters related to the legal immunity enjoyed by members of Parliament.