🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Libreville's EAFD trains African officers to address security challenges
via Gabon Review4 min read
The Libreville Defense Forces Administration School EAFD recently celebrated the graduation of its third class, named "Bernard Gnamankala." This class comprised 25 officers from 10 African countries who completed a year-long program focused on enhancing administrative, strategic, and operational skills to meet new security challenges. The curriculum, described by EAFD Director Commander Eric Privat Ivala Yombo as exceptionally dense, included 17 core modules covering human resources management, financial law, public finance and accounting, logistics, communication, administrative law, organizational management, and international relations. Complementary advanced training was also provided in logistical reasoning, international humanitarian law, first aid, and strategic training in cyber threats and security. The demanding academic program, spread over four semesters, involved 52 evaluated subjects, a practical internship in units in Gabon and France for some participants, and the writing and defense of a research thesis. Graduates received a double certification: an application diploma and a master's degree in general administration and international relations. The EAFD collaborates with national and international partners, including Omar Bongo University, the French National Gendarmerie Military Academy, the Dakar Regional Cybersecurity National School in Senegal, and Berthe and Jean d'Essassas University, to provide comprehensive training.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Gabon's government has authorized the Minister of Sustainable Tourism and Handicrafts to represent the country at the 69th meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa and a thematic conference. These events are scheduled to take place from July 2 to 4, 2026, in Mahé, Seychelles. The meeting, organized under the auspices of UN Tourism, will bring together African tourism leaders to discuss policies and strategies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of African destinations. In addition, participants will attend a thematic conference focused on "strengthening human capital to boost tourism growth in Africa." Discussions will cover professional training, skills development, and improving service quality, which are considered crucial for increasing the continent's tourism appeal. Gabon's participation aims to contribute to discussions on the future of African tourism and strengthen its cooperation with other UN Tourism member states. This presence will also promote Gabon's national vision for sustainable tourism, which emphasizes the development of its natural, cultural, and artisanal heritage.
Gabon will attend the fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit UNCOPS 2026 in New York on July 7 and 8, following authorization from the Council of Ministers on June 25. This participation aims to consolidate the country's security partnerships and showcase the expertise of its police forces on the international stage. The Minister of Interior, Security, and Decentralization, Adrien Nguema, presented the communication regarding this participation, which received government approval. UNCOPS 2026 is a major event for global police cooperation, bringing together police leaders from UN member states to discuss peace, international security, and sustainable development. The summit will provide a platform for exchanging experiences and sharing best practices among police services, fostering better coordination of public security policies. Gabon intends to highlight the skills of its police forces in areas such as training, digitalization of services, and cybersecurity, which are strategic in addressing evolving transnational threats and the digital transformation of administrations. By participating, Gabon seeks to demonstrate its commitment to multilateral security dynamics and align its systems with international standards, thereby strengthening its engagement in initiatives promoting effective security governance.
On June 25, deputies at Gabon's National Assembly, meeting in plenary session at the Léon-Mba Palace, unanimously adopted two new bills. The session was presided over by the second vice-president of the National Assembly, Jeannot Kalima, in the absence of the institution's president, Michel Régis Onanga M. Ndiaye, and attended by several relevant government members, including the Minister of National Defense, Brigitte Onkanowa, the Minister of Health, Pr Elsa Nkana Joséphine Ayo-Bivigou, and the Minister of Reform and Relations with Institutions, François Ndong Obiang. The first bill establishes a national workshop for manufacturing uniforms for the Defense and Security Forces. This new state entity aims to provide the country with a national production tool for military and security equipment, reducing reliance on external suppliers and ensuring better quality control and availability. The second bill introduces new measures to combat tobacco, nicotine, and related products in Gabon, strengthening public health prevention efforts and addressing the growing threat of new nicotine products. The unanimous adoption of both texts highlights a broad consensus on these essential reforms for national sovereignty and public health.