On October 27, 2026, Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema presided over a ceremony at the Presidential Palace, where six new ambassadors presented their letters of credence. The ambassadors are from Nigeria, Joseph John Gargadi; Lebanon, Mazen Kabbara; Equatorial Guinea, Bienvenido Esono Engonga Okomo; Algeria, Hamza Hadj Cherif; Czech Republic, Petr Selepa; and Norway, Bjorn Klouman Bekken. The ceremony followed standard diplomatic practices.
The six ambassadors will serve as representatives of their respective countries to Gabon. Three of them, namely those from Nigeria, Lebanon, and Equatorial Guinea, will be based in Libreville, Gabon's capital. The others will be stationed in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The accreditation ceremony was attended by Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marie-Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny.
During the ceremony, the newly accredited diplomats underwent the usual protocol, officially taking up their positions. The event provided an opportunity for discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in strategic sectors. With Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, the talks focused on securing the Gulf of Guinea, energy cooperation, trade, and free movement of people, goods, and services.
The discussions with Lebanon and Algeria centered on investments, infrastructure, industrialization, and vocational training. The Norwegian ambassador's talks involved preserving the environment, sustainable management of natural resources, blue economy, and clean energy. The Czech Republic's ambassador explored prospects in industry, technology transfer, healthcare, defense, security, training, and agro-industry.
The ambassadors welcomed Gabon's efforts to transform and develop its economy, reaffirming their countries' commitment to supporting this dynamic. The diversity of partnerships could be explored within the framework of South-South cooperation. President Oligui Nguema emphasized that the quality of relations with these six countries presents an opportunity for Gabon to reaffirm its commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation.
The new ambassadors bring a fresh perspective to strengthening ties between Gabon and their respective countries. Their presence is expected to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, security, and sustainable development. The accreditation ceremony marked a significant step in advancing Gabon's diplomatic relations with other nations.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of cooperation between Gabon and the six countries. The President and the ambassadors acknowledged the potential for growth and development through collaborative efforts. The ceremony highlighted Gabon's commitment to fostering strong diplomatic relationships with its international partners.
Key points
- President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema accredits six new ambassadors to Gabon, strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
- The ambassadors are from Nigeria, Lebanon, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Czech Republic, and Norway.
- The ceremony discussed cooperation in strategic sectors, including security, energy, trade, and sustainable development.
