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A spokesperson for the Gabonese presidency said it was now down to the countries to negotiate in the light of the ruling, the AFP news agency reports.

Gabonese prosecutor Eddy Minang says the release of Mrs Bongo and her son is merely provisional, owing to poor health and that legal proceedings against the two will continue.

"Fegafoot and the Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his family."

For most Gabonese, this election is a chance to right some of the wrongs they suffered under the previous regime.

In the investigation, a former Gabonese international said Eyi held the "position of a god" as he had the power to decide who would play for Gabon's youth teams.