Gabon’s military coup leaders have released deposed President Ali Bongo and granted him permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi, a junta spokesman, announced this on state television on Wednesday, according to CNN.

Bongo is said to have been under house arrest since the Central African country’s coup in late August.

“Given his state of health, the former President of the Republic Ali Bongo Ondimba is free to move about. He may, if he wishes, travel abroad to receive medical check-ups,” junta spokesperson Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi said on state television, reading a statement from transitional leader Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema.

The interim leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who heads the junta, also shared pictures depicting Bongo in conversation with Abdou Abarry, the head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, during a visit to Bongo’s residence in Libreville, the capital city.

The ousted Gabonese leader has made infrequent public appearances since the coup. Shortly after his removal from power, a video emerged in which he urged his supporters to raise their voices, while he was placed under house arrest by military officials.

“The people here have arrested me… I’m in the residence… I don’t know what is going on,” he said in the footage.

Bongo, 64, suffered a stroke in 2018 and spent months outside Gabon, receiving treatment in Morocco raising questions about whether he was fit to continue as president, triggering an unsuccessful coup in 2019.

He had been in power for 14 years since succeeding his father Omar Bongo in 2009 and sought another term in last month’s disputed elections.