Gabon faces un anti-corruption assessment to enhance governance

Gabon is hosting a United Nations evaluation mission in Libreville starting June 29, part of the second cycle of the review mechanism for the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Over three days, international experts, Gabonese officials, and national institutions are examining the country’s anti-corruption frameworks and asset recovery systems. Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault, National Commission for the Fight against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment (CNLCEI) President Nestor Mbou, and UNODC National Focal Point Séraphin Ondoumba all see this assessment as a critical step in strengthening governance under the Fifth Republic.

Gabon has embarked on a new international exercise designed to measure progress in the fight against corruption. Launched on June 29 in Libreville, the evaluation mission for the second cycle of the UNCAC review mechanism brings together representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), experts from Chad and Libya, and all relevant government departments.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, Vice-President Hermann Immongault stated that “the quality of governance has become one of the primary determinants of development, institutional stability, and citizen trust,” positioning this evaluation as a strategic appointment for Gabon’s international credibility.

Anti-corruption efforts at the heart of Fifth Republic reforms

For Hermann Immongault, fighting corruption is now a pillar of the transformation launched since the advent of the Fifth Republic. “Since the Fifth Republic came into being, Gabon has undertaken a profound overhaul of its public action. This transformation rests on a simple but fundamental requirement: durably restoring trust between the state and citizens by consolidating institutions that are more transparent, more accountable, and more results-oriented,” he declared.

The Vice-President emphasised that corruption is not merely a risk to public finances. “It weakens institutions, erodes the confidence between citizens and the state, discourages investment, slows growth, and fuels inequality,” he insisted. In his view, transparency is now a factor of economic competitiveness. “Good governance is no longer just a democratic ideal; it has become a strategic advantage for nations aspiring to sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he stressed.

Nestor Mbou: ‘Gabon is undergoing a deep institutional transformation’

Speaking next, CNLCEI President Nestor Mbou placed this evaluation mission in the context of reforms driven by the country’s highest authorities. “This mission holds particular importance for the Gabonese Republic. It comes at a time marked by a profound dynamic of institutional transformation driven by the highest state authorities and a strengthening of accountability in public affairs management,” he said.

Mbou recalled the directions set by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema during his address to Parliament on June 15. He cited the head of state: “Before the liberation coup of August 30, 2023, endemic corruption, clientelism, and poor governance elevated to principle coexisted with a high level of poverty.”

For Nestor Mbou, this presidential statement reflects a clear political will to tackle the root causes of the dysfunctions that have long weakened public action. He also recalled another major orientation from the president: “Henceforth, our country deserves strong, credible institutions, a sanitised governance more in line with international standards regarding human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.” According to him, these orientations now form “the foundation for the work of public institutions engaged in preventing and combating corruption.”

Séraphin Ondoumba calls for a truthful and cooperative exercise

In his role as UNODC National Focal Point, Séraphin Ondoumba welcomed the international experts, praising the spirit of cooperation characterising this mission. “For the Gabonese Republic, this exercise holds particular importance. It reflects our country’s ongoing commitment to meeting its obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption and to strengthening national mechanisms for preventing, detecting, and punishing acts of corruption,” he indicated.

Ondoumba noted that the work will focus primarily on preventive measures and asset recovery – two areas he considers essential for strengthening the rule of law and protecting public resources. He also called on all mobilised administrations to ensure that this “direct dialogue” becomes “a moment of truth, progress, and renewed commitment in the service of good governance, transparency, and the general interest.”

Three days to assess progress and boost international cooperation

Beyond reviewing legal texts, Gabonese authorities aim to turn this mission into a genuine forum for improving public policies. As Nestor Mbou underscored, “it is not simply a matter of evaluating a legal or institutional framework, but also of identifying best practices, acknowledging progress achieved, measuring remaining challenges, and benefiting from concrete recommendations to accelerate the implementation of our strategy.”

Over three days, international experts will engage with government departments, courts, independent administrative authorities, oversight bodies, and civil society representatives to assess how fully the UN Convention against Corruption is being applied.

Through this evaluation, Gabon intends to demonstrate that combating corruption is no longer just a legal imperative but has become a strategic pillar of governance, state modernisation, and enhanced attractiveness to investors and international partners.