Gabon MP leaves Rwanda after dramatic airport slap landed him in police custody

Gabonese lawmaker Augustin Lobelle Yembi has left Rwanda after spending three days in police custody following a dramatic confrontation with a RwandAir supervisor at Kigali International Airport.

Yembi was arrested on September 3 over allegations of physically assaulting the airline official and was detained as Rwandan authorities completed judicial procedures surrounding the incident.

In a video seen by TNX Africa, the MP is seen confronting the airport supervisor before slapping him.

RWANDA ???? GABON

RWANDA FREES GABONESE MP HELD OVER KIGALI AIRPORT ASSAULT; LIBREVILLE SAYS HE WILL FACE TRIAL AT HOME

On 3 Sept 2026, Gabonese independent MP Augustin Lobelle Yembi was arrested at Kigali International Airport after alleged violence against a RwandAir…

— Facts On Rwanda (@FactsOnRwanda) September 8, 2026

The arrest quickly attracted attention in Gabon, with the matter taking a diplomatic turn as authorities in Libreville engaged their Rwandan counterparts over the detention of the sitting lawmaker.

After three days in custody, Rwandan authorities allowed Yembi to leave the country on September 6 following a diplomatic intervention involving President Paul Kagame and Gabon’s Foreign Minister Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbéneny.

The decision was reportedly influenced by the longstanding friendly relations between Rwanda and Gabon.

⚠️ KIGALI AIRPORT SLAP: On 3 Sept 2026 Gabonese MP Augustin Lobelle Yembi was arrested at Kigali airport after an altercation with a RwandAir supervisor while in transit.

Some reports say he slapped the agent after a long layover and no clear answers on his connection. Official… pic.twitter.com/sNzOZGYe2h

— John B. Simbaburanga (@be_johns) September 8, 2026

“Rwandan authorities authorised Yembi’s release on September 6, 2026, strictly out of regard for the excellence of the fraternal relations between Gabon and Rwanda, and the deep friendship between Presidents Paul Kagame and Brice Clotaire Oligui,” Gabon’s foreign minister said.

Gabonese authorities said the case has now been transferred to Gabon, where Yembi is expected to be handed over to judicial authorities upon his arrival in Libreville.

The lawmaker could therefore still face further legal proceedings over the alleged confrontation, despite being allowed to leave Rwanda.

“Yembi’s release from Rwandan jurisdiction does not mean he has escaped justice and he will face trial in Libreville under the Gabonese judicial system,” the foreign minister added.

For now, the diplomatic aspect of the dispute appears to have been resolved, with Yembi back under the jurisdiction of Gabonese authorities.

The next stage of the case will depend on how Gabon’s judicial authorities handle the allegations against him.