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| Omar Bongo Ondimba appoints new government
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Libreville, Gabon (PANA) -
President Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon has appointed
a new, 41-member government, marked by the absence of opposition leaders,
official sources told PANA.
Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe remains at the head of the government,
whose number is less
than the old one by nine members.
Six members of the new government are women, down from 13.
The new government includes three Vice Prime Ministers (down from 4 in
the preceding cabinet),
two Senior Ministers (10 in the last government) and a dozen Vice-Ministers.
The principle of geopolitical representation was also respected, with
each of the nine provinces being
represented in the new cabinet, whose main portfolios are, however,
entrusted to President Bongo's closest allies.
Ali Bongo Ondimba, the head of state' son, retains the Defence
portfolio; Andre Mba Obame remains Minister of the
Interior; Faustin Boukoubi is Minister of Agriculture while Paul
Biyoghé Mba is Minister of Trade.
However, they have lost their status of Senior Ministers.
Described as a government that will mark a break from the former
practice, the Cabinet appointed Friday however
failed to translate the radical tone of the President's early December
speech, to mark his 40 years in power.
In his speech, President Bongo lambasted the actions of past
governments, while vowing to appoint a new and more honest and
efficient Cabinet.
However, several Ministers have lost their portfolio, including
Emmanuel Ondo Methogo, 61, who had been a cabinet member since 1991
and a Vice-Prime Minister since
1997, as well as the former Senior Minister of Health, Paulette
Missambo, 58, a Cabinet member since 1990.
The major surprise among the new Ministers is the appointment of Gen.
Flavien Nzengui-Nzoundou, previously ADC to the President, who becomes
the new Minister of Public
Works, Infrastructure and Construction.
Other new Ministers include Vincent Essone Mengue, mayor of Oyem (the
main city in the North), who is the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises, and Patrice Tonda, former Ambassador and new holder of
the Housing and Urban Development portfolio.
Besides, Richard Auguste Onouviet moves from the Ministry of Mining
and Oil to take charge of the Ministry of Planning and Development
Programming.
Casimir Oyé Mba, Senior Minister, inherits a significant ministry
covering Mining, Oil, Hydrocarbons, Energy and Water
Resources.
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| Libreville - 29/12/2007 |
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