Gabon assumes leadership of CAMES to drive African university renewal
via Gabon Review3 min read
Gabon has taken over the presidency of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education CAMES for a one-year term, following the 43rd ordinary session held in Libreville. The Gabonese Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Charles Edgard Mombo, will lead the institution with a focus on accelerating reforms, strengthening academic excellence, and boosting scientific research across Africa. Key priorities include enhancing quality assurance in higher education institutions, promoting scientific research, improving the international visibility of African academic output, and accelerating digital transformation in the sector. Professor Mombo emphasized a commitment to rigorous follow-up on decisions made by the Council of Ministers to ensure measurable results for universities, faculty, researchers, and students. The outgoing president, Dr. Diaka Sidibé, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of Guinea, expressed confidence in Gabon's ability to continue ongoing reforms. The session also saw the adoption of several recommendations, including the creation of a virtual CAMES Academy to serve as a digital platform for scientific and academic services. Gabon also plans to focus on academic mobility, scientific cooperation, innovation, university entrepreneurship, and graduate employability to align higher education with development needs. The next ordinary session of the CAMES Council of Ministers is scheduled for 2027 in Yaound
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Libreville and Abidjan are reactivating their sister-city partnership, originally established on July 11, 2000. On June 18, Libreville Mayor Eugène Mba, accompanied by his fifth deputy in charge of urban planning, Thierry Akendengue-Nkolo, met with Paulin Claude Danho, vice-governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, during a working visit to Côte d'Ivoire. The meeting aimed to revitalize the dormant partnership, focusing on contemporary challenges faced by local authorities. Discussions centered on updating the legal framework of the partnership and establishing a twinning committee to monitor joint actions. The cities intend to move beyond a purely ceremonial agreement to one of active collaboration. Key areas of focus include e-governance, youth entrepreneurship, water, sanitation, and sustainable waste management. The Gabonese delegation also learned about Abidjan's municipal management solutions, particularly in revenue collection and civil status management. This revival seeks to transform institutional ties into tangible achievements for the populations of both cities, fostering a lasting cooperative dynamic.
Gabon is expanding its ecotourism program from five to eight national parks, as part of its National Growth and Development Plan PNCD. This initiative, presented on June 19, 2026, to the Vice President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, aims to combine biodiversity preservation with wealth creation. The expansion was proposed by philanthropic partners, who support Gabon's goal of making ecotourism a driver for sustainable growth, job creation, and ecosystem protection. The Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Marcelle Ibinga épouse Itsitsa, explained that while the PNCD initially planned for five pilot parks, partners suggested adding three more. The national parks of Minkébé, Monts de Cristal, and Plateaux Batéké, along with the Wonga-Wongué reserve, are now included in the program. This project, supported by the Rob Walton Foundation and the ICCF group, seeks to build a competitive ecotourism offering while providing concrete benefits, such as jobs and local activities, to surrounding communities. Vice President Immongault emphasized the country's intent to leverage its potential and transform efforts into successes. A representative from the ICCF group affirmed their commitment to helping Gabon develop its national parks, highlighting the potential of Gabon's ecosystems. The Vice President concluded that Gabon aims to be a country that respects its commitments and benefits from its resources to address the needs of its people, positioning its national parks as a motor
On June 19, World Sickle Cell Day, patients, their families, and healthcare professionals in Gabon advocated for free hemoglobin electrophoresis testing. Sickle cell disease, a prevalent hereditary genetic condition, places a significant burden on families in Gabon due to the high cost of analyses, challenging care pathways, and a lack of specialized facilities. Many families face frequent hospitalizations and accumulating medical expenses, with one parent noting they can be in the hospital with their two children at least six times a year. Patients also report social stigma and mockery associated with the disease. Dr. Jean Bie Ondo, president of the association for the fight against sickle cell disease, emphasized that making hemoglobin electrophoresis free would enable early detection and significantly reduce the severity of cases treated late. This call aims to prompt public authorities to enhance policies for individuals living with sickle cell disease, including establishing dedicated structures and expanding access to care.