Gabon: Bilie By Nze appointed as Prime Minister

Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has appointed Alain Claude Bilie By Nze as the country’s Prime Minister in replacement of Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda who has been made Vice President – a position vacant since 2019.

The office of the President announced Monday the appointment adding that the former Deputy Prime Minister has been tasked to form a cabinet.

The office announced that the President also appointed Raponda as Vice President. The position has been vacant since 2019 after President Bongo fired Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, the leader of Social Democratic Party.

President Bongo appointed Nze Deputy Prime Minister in October upon recommendation of Raponda. The position of Deputy Premier had been vacant since 2016.

The October appointment also indicated Nze will, in addition to his new role, still hold his department of Energy and Water Resources.