Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema ushered in the New Year with a sweeping cabinet reshuffle, appointing new vice presidents and reconstituting his government as he moves to consolidate the political transition that began with his 2023 seizure of power.
Nguema signed three presidential decrees on Thursday, January 1. One decree appointed Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier as Vice President of the Republic, while another elevated former Interior Minister Hermann Immongault to the post of Vice President of the Government, a role comparable to prime minister. A third decree formally established the composition of the new government.
Under the reshuffle, the cabinet expands to 31 ministers from 30 in the previous lineup, with 10 women and 21 men.
Immongault’s promotion has been widely interpreted as recognition for his role in overseeing elections during the transition period. As interior minister, he was central to organizing September’s legislative and parliamentary polls, which delivered a commanding victory for Nguema’s Democratic Union of Builders, securing 101 of the 145 seats in the National Assembly.
The changes come after weeks of political anticipation. Groundnews reported that following about 45 days of uncertainty, Nguema finalized a new government marked both by key promotions and high-profile exits, including the removal of influential former economy and finance chief Henri-Claude Oyima.
Several new figures have been appointed to strategic portfolios. Clotaire Kondja takes charge of the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas, while Thierry Minko assumes leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Debt and State Holdings. Marie-Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbéneny, a former ambassador to France and ex–head of state protocol, was named foreign minister.
At the same time, several close allies of the president retained their positions. Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi remains a senior figure in government with the rank of minister of state. Defense Minister Gen. Brigitte Onkanowa and Education Minister Carmelia Ntoutoume were also kept on.
Two prominent figures, however, were dropped from the cabinet. In addition to Oyima, former Health Minister Adrien Mougougou exited the government.
Nguema, a former military commander, won a presidential election in April, nearly two years after leading the coup that ended more than five decades of rule by the Bongo family. The latest reshuffle underscores his efforts to stabilize his administration and tighten control as Gabon continues its transition toward a new political order.
Africanews/Groundnews
