• New government expands to 31 members, up from 30 previously
• Key economic portfolios reassigned amid focus on cost of living
• Reshuffle follows local elections won by ruling authorities

Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Nguema on January 1, 2026, announced the establishment of a new government. The cabinet now expands to 31 members from 30 previously.

Hermann Immongault, until now minister of the interior, was appointed vice president of the government, a role equivalent to prime minister, replacing Séraphin Moundounga. Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier was named vice president of the republic.

Several new figures entered the cabinet. Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbénény, former ambassador to Paris and ex-head of state protocol, was appointed minister of foreign affairs. Clotaire Kondja took over as minister of petroleum and gas, while Thierry Minko was named minister of economy, finance, debt, and state holdings, a portfolio that also includes responsibility for tackling the high cost of living.

Among those leaving the government are Henri-Claude Oyima, former minister of economy and finance, Régis Onanga Ndiaye, former minister of foreign affairs, and Adrien Mougougou, who previously served as minister of health.

The cabinet reshuffle follows local elections held in September and October, including municipal, legislative, and senatorial polls, in which the ruling authorities secured a majority of seats.

Expectations for the new government include maintaining political and economic stability, strengthening public finances, and addressing rising living costs.

According to the World Bank, economic growth in this Central African country is expected to slow to 2.4% over the 2025–2027 period, compared with 2.9% in 2024. Growth is expected to be driven mainly by the mining, forestry, and agricultural sectors.

Lydie Mobio

List of members of the new government

1. Vice President of the Republic: Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier
2. Vice President of the Government: Hermann Immongault
3. Minister of State, Minister of Transport and Merchant Marine, in charge of Logistics: Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi
4. Minister of State, Minister of National Defense: Brigitte Onkanowa
5. Minister of State, Minister of National Education and Civic Instruction: Camelia Ntoutoume née Leclercq
6. Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy: Philippe Tonangoye
7. Minister of the Interior, Security, and Decentralization: Adrien Nguema Mba
8. Minister of Housing, Urban Development, and Land Registry: Mays Lloyd Mouissi
9. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in charge of Integration and the Diaspora: Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbénény
10. Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation: Mark Alexandre Doumba
11. Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, in charge of Human Rights: Augustin Emane
12. Minister of Planning and Foresight: Louise Pierrette Mvono
13. Minister of Institutional Reform and Relations with Institutions: Jean-François Ndong Obiang
14. Minister of Petroleum and Gas: Clotaire Kondja
15. Minister of Economy, Finance, Debt, and State Holdings, in charge of the Fight Against High Living Costs: Thierry Minko
16. Minister of Mines and Geological Resources: Sosthène Nguema Nguema
17. Minister of Fisheries, the Sea, and the Blue Economy: Aimé Martial Massamba
18. Minister of Public Works and Construction: Edgard Moukombi
19. Minister of Industry and Processing: Lubin Ntoutoume
20. Minister of Civil Service and Capacity Building: Laurence Mengue Me Nzoghe née Ndong
21. Minister of Labor, Full Employment, Social Dialogue, and Vocational Training: Jacqueline Ilogue née Bignoumba
22. Minister of Water and Forests, Environment, and Climate, in charge of Human-Wildlife Conflict: Maurice Allogho Ntossui
23. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government Spokesperson: Charles Edgard Mombo
24. Minister of Health: Elza Ayo née Bivigou
25. Minister of Social Affairs, in charge of Child and Women Protection: Armande Longo née Moulengui
26. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development: Pacôme Kossy
27. Minister of Trade, SMEs, and Youth Entrepreneurship: Zenaba Gninga Chaning
28. Minister of Sustainable Tourism and Handicrafts: Marcelle Ibinga née Itsitsa
29. Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach, and the Arts, in charge of Community Life: Paul Ulrich Kessany
30. Minister of Communications and Media: Germain Bihadjow
31. Deputy Minister to the Minister of Economy, Finance, Debt, and State Holdings, in charge of the Budget: Marc Abeghe