Gabon appoints vice-president, new prime minister

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) – Gabon’s new prime minister and vice-president will be sworn in on Tuesday, a day after their appointments were announced by President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, 59, the first woman to serve as Gabon’s prime minister, has been picked for the post of vice-president, which was vacant since 2019.

Ossouka Raponda was the prime minister since July 2020.

She has been replaced by Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, 56, who was previously the deputy prime minister and minister for energy and hydraulic resources.

Bilie By Nze has unveiled a new Cabinet with 45 members, seven more than the previous government.

The new appointments in Gabon come a few months before the presidential, legislative, and local elections that are scheduled for the second half of 2023.

President Bongo, in power since 2009, has yet to confirm whether he will seek a third term in office.​​​​​​​