Title: Raymond Ndong Sima, a seasoned economist appointed head of the Gabonese government
Introduction :
In a political context marked by the overthrow of President Ali Bongo, General Brice Oligui Nguema, president of the transition in Gabon, announced the appointment of Raymond Ndong Sima as head of government. Former Prime Minister of Ali Bongo from 2012 to 2014, renowned economist and opponent of the regime in place, this appointment raises many questions about the political future of the country. This article will look at the career and skills of Raymond Ndong Sima, as well as the impact of his appointment on the political situation in Gabon.
Raymond Ndong Sima’s journey:
Raymond Ndong Sima, aged 68, is a Gabonese economist who has held several key positions in the government. He was Ali Bongo’s Prime Minister for two years, from 2012 to 2014. His mandate was marked by actions aimed at solving the country’s economic problems, in particular by clearing civil servants’ salary arrears. However, due to political differences, he was fired in January 2014.
Opponent of the regime in place, Raymond Ndong Sima regularly criticized the power of Ali Bongo for his bad governance. He ran against the incumbent president in the 2016 and 2023 presidential elections. In 2015, he broke with the presidential party, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), and moved to the opposition.
Skills and perspectives:
Raymond Ndong Sima is above all an economist by training, having studied in France before joining the Gabonese Ministry of the Economy. He held several ministerial positions, including that of Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. His skills and experience in the economic field make him a logical choice for the post of head of government.
This appointment comes in a context of political transition, marked by a coup d’état and the promise to hold free elections in the future. Raymond Ndong Sima will therefore have to play a crucial role in stabilizing the country and establishing a transitional government capable of preparing the ground for these elections. He will also be expected to assess his ability to propose concrete economic measures to get Gabon out of the current crisis.
Conclusion :
The appointment of Raymond Ndong Sima as head of the Gabonese government is a significant step in the political transition that the country is currently going through. By choosing an experienced economist and opponent of the regime in place, General Brice Oligui Nguema sends a strong signal of his desire to put in place a competent transitional government representative of all the political forces in the country. It remains to be seen whether Raymond Ndong Sima will be able to overcome the political and economic challenges that await him to lead Gabon towards a better future.