
Gabon's Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Armande Longo épouse Moulengui, reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening social protection mechanisms and improving living conditions at the 40th session of the Council of Ministers of the Inter-African Conference on Social Welfare CIPRES in Geneva. The high-level meeting, held at the International Labour Office ILO headquarters on June 10, 2026, brought together ministers, experts, and social welfare officials from member states. Discussions focused on the governance, modernization, and performance of social security systems. Key strategic issues examined included the activity report of the Executive Secretariat, the financial statements for 2025, and the auditor's report. Participants also made important appointments within the Conference's bodies, including the president and members of the Social Welfare Monitoring Commission, the Head of the Regional Social Welfare Inspection, and the CIPRES auditor. Other agenda items included revising the CIPRES accounting plan, harmonizing management indicators, establishing common performance benchmarks, and strengthening the capacity of administrative and management bodies. The situation of member states' contributions to the organization's budget was also reviewed. Dr. Armande Longo épouse Moulengui emphasized that these efforts aim to consolidate a common vision for "more effective, more inclusive social protection that is better adapted to the realities of our countries," urging
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Must ReadThe Economic Community of Central African States CEEAC launched the second edition of Campus Mbongi in Libreville, Gabon, on July 24. This international summer school focuses on endangered languages, indigenous knowledge, and ecology, with a field training component running from July 27 to August 8. Dr. Ezéchiel Nibigira, President of the CEEAC Commission, stated that the initiative aims to use knowledge as a driver for regional development and integration, moving from conception to action. He emphasized that economic integration requires the integration of intelligence, with the goal of creating a community space for knowledge production, innovation, and African solutions to African challenges. Two priorities were highlighted: making civil society a key player in scientific integration and establishing administrative rigor as a governance principle. Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda, the international coordinator, noted the historical significance of the initiative for higher education research in Central Africa, referencing the 2018 creation of the Bantouphonie network to promote scientific mobility and indigenous knowledge. Nelly Banaken, CEEAC Commissioner for Gender Promotion, affirmed that Campus Mbongi aligns with the organization's strategy, promoting the circulation of knowledge, sharing experiences, scientific cooperation, and valuing common identities to strengthen cultural identity, preserve heritage, and develop research capacities for regional development. The itinerant
Must ReadAli Akbar Onanga Y'Obégué, Secretary-General of the Gabonese Democratic Party, former minister, and doctor of law, has criticized the protocol signed at the Élysée Palace, which postpones the local processing of manganese to 2031 and reduces the target from two million to 700,000 tons annually. He attributes the situation to the President's entourage for allowing an untenable deadline and to French diplomacy for choosing a method he describes as "humiliating." Onanga Y'Obégué argues that while the presidential ambition was legitimate and the delay inevitable, the method used "honors neither party." He states that a state visit is not the appropriate setting to publicly force a partner to retract a firmly held position. The former minister believes the 2029 target for local manganese processing was never industrially realistic, citing energy deficits, Transgabonese railway saturation, and engineering delays as known issues. He questions why advisors around the President supported such an ambitious timeline without ensuring the state apparatus could meet it, emphasizing that advisors should protect the President's authority rather than encourage unrealistic commitments. Onanga Y'Obégué further asserts that France knew the 2029 deadline was impossible and would eventually secure a delay. He suggests alternative diplomatic approaches, such as a monitoring committee or negotiated postponement, would have achieved the same industrial and legal results without the negative political

Michel Djombo, the Congolese Minister of Industrial Development, visited Gabon's Nkok Special Investment Zone SIZ on July 23 to assess its maturity. This visit is part of Congo's efforts to develop two similar zones with the operator Arise IIP. Established in 2012, the Nkok SIZ is recognized as a regional model for industrial development, attracting investments, creating jobs, and facilitating skills transfer. The institutional framework of the zone, including the role of Gabon Special Economic Zone SA and the administrative authority led by Serge Samy Biveghe, was presented to the Congolese delegation. The one-stop shop, which integrates 24 state services to simplify administrative procedures and improve the business environment, particularly drew attention. Djombo noted the importance of understanding the one-stop shop's operation and the state's involvement in attracting investments. The delegation also visited industrial units specializing in wood processing, such as Tropical Forest and Chanta Group, which serve as an inspiration for Pointe-Noire. Djombo expressed satisfaction with the insights gained and the useful exchanges, highlighting the value of experience sharing between the two countries. Gaurav Aggarwal, CEO of GSEZ, emphasized that the Nkok SIZ's success is built on a strong public-private partnership, with the one-stop shop being crucial for supporting investors. The Nkok SIZ features integrated infrastructure, including a 70 MW autonomous energy supply, banki