Gabon’s President, Brice Oligui Nguema, has ushered in the New Year with a significant cabinet reshuffle, reinforcing the political transition that has been underway since he came to power in 2023.
Under the changes, Hughes Alexandre Barro Chambrier has been appointed Vice-President of the Republic, while Hermann Immongault has moved from the Ministry of the Interior to assume the post of Vice-President of the Government.
Immongault’s elevation is widely viewed as recognition of his role in overseeing the legislative and parliamentary elections held in September. Those polls delivered a decisive victory for President Nguema’s Democratic Union of Builders, which secured 101 of the 145 seats in the National Assembly.
The president also signed a decree confirming the composition of the new government. The cabinet now includes 31 ministers, up from 30, with women holding 10 of the portfolios.
Nguema won the presidential election in April, two years after leading a military takeover that brought an end to 55 years of rule by the Bongo family in Gabon.
