🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Gabon: Contractual aspects to be finalized before the new Panthers coach is presented in July
via Gabon Review5 min read
The Gabonese Football Federation Fegafoot announced on June 23 that the recruitment process for the new coach of the national team, the Panthers, is in its final stages. Discussions with one of the selected candidates are "very advanced," but several contractual aspects still need to be finalized before an official announcement, now expected by mid-July. This comes after the dissolution of the technical staff on January 1, 2026, following the Panthers' elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. An initial call for applications in January attracted 605 dossiers, with a final shortlist reportedly including Antony Da Silva, Landry Chauvin, and Luis Boa Morte. However, the Minister of Sports, Paul Ulrich Kessany, reportedly expressed reservations about these profiles, deeming them insufficiently experienced. In the interim, Anicet Yala has served as temporary coach, and former captain Bruno Ecuélé Manga was appointed general manager in March. Fegafoot aims to reassure the public and end months of uncertainty by presenting the new coach and their full technical staff in mid-July 2026.
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Gabon and Italy have enhanced their judicial cooperation to combat human trafficking, a transnational crime. From June 15 to 17, the National School of Magistracy ENM in Gabon hosted a training session for magistrates and judicial police officers. Organized by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa with support from the Italian Republic, this initiative demonstrates both countries' commitment to sharing expertise. The training, held in Libreville, aimed to improve coordination between magistrates and law enforcement to enhance investigations, prosecutions, and international judicial cooperation against criminal networks. This collaboration is part of a broader partnership between Gabon and Italy in justice and security, illustrating their ongoing commitment to strengthening the rule of law and judicial cooperation in Africa. The Italian Embassy in Libreville highlighted human trafficking as a major criminal and humanitarian issue in Africa, involving exploitation such as domestic servitude, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced begging. The cooperation between Libreville and Rome seeks to protect victims and combat the mechanisms perpetuating this phenomenon, contributing to a more resilient justice system prepared for cross-border threats.
Must ReadUN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in London on June 23, urged a rapid transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that climate and energy security are intertwined. He noted that the planet faces dual crises: a worsening climate crisis and an energy crisis fueled by geopolitical tensions and volatile hydrocarbon markets, both stemming from fossil fuel dependence. Guterres highlighted that the past eleven years have been the warmest on record and warned against exceeding the 1.5°C global warming limit, which could lead to irreversible planetary changes. He argued that renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are not only crucial for combating climate change but also serve as instruments for economic security and national sovereignty, offering independence that hydrocarbons cannot guarantee. Guterres presented a seven-point roadmap for accelerating this transition, including strengthening climate commitments, reducing methane emissions, halting new fossil fuel infrastructure, and increasing investments in electrical grids. He also called for transparency on AI data center environmental footprints, a just transition for fossil fuel workers and producing countries, increased financing for developing nations, and better protection of science from climate disinformation. While Gabon was not explicitly mentioned, the UN's message resonates with the country, which possesses significant natural assets. Guterres's advocacy suggests that countries rich in natural
Must ReadO'Kaba, Gabon's first mobile super application, is enhancing its data protection measures ahead of its beta launch in July 2026. Project promoters met with the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy APDPVP on June 23, 2026, to ensure the platform complies with legal requirements and prioritizes user security. Cédric Ivendengani Assambi, an information systems engineer, stated that engaging with the APDPVP was essential to align with their obligations as a digital platform. Digital trust, including privacy protection, personal information security, and data use transparency, is a core principle guiding O'Kaba's development. The platform aims to be a national digital reference, facilitating access to a wide range of value-added digital services for citizens, businesses, and administrations. The name "O'Kaba" means "sharing" in Obamba, reflecting its goal to consolidate various services and meet daily needs. While existing mobile applications address some needs like transport or delivery, O'Kaba seeks to unify these services to provide a comprehensive solution. The platform will connect individuals and vendors in a secure environment, allowing users to order local products and receive delivery. Project leaders expressed satisfaction with the APDPVP's insights, which will help refine the platform, with user information security remaining a top priority. This institutional, technical, and strategic support is intended to strengthen O'Kaba's data governance and f