Gabon is hosting the second-cycle evaluation mission of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Libreville since June 29. Over three days, international experts, Gabonese authorities, and national institutions are reviewing anti-corruption prevention measures and asset recovery mechanisms. Government Vice President Hermann Immongault, CNLCEI President Nestor Mbou, and UNODC National Focal Point Séraphin Ondoumba consider this evaluation a crucial step in consolidating governance under the Fifth Republic.
Gabon has embarked on a new international exercise to measure progress in the fight against corruption. The evaluation mission, opened June 29 in Libreville, brings together representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), experts from Chad and Libya, and all relevant administrations.
Presiding over the opening ceremony, Government Vice President Hermann Immongault stated that “the quality of governance has become one of the primary determinants of development, institutional stability, and citizen trust,” making this evaluation a strategic appointment for Gabon’s international credibility.
Anti-corruption at the heart of Fifth Republic reforms
For Immongault, fighting corruption is now a pillar of the transformation launched since the Fifth Republic. “Since the advent of the Fifth Republic, Gabon has undertaken a profound transformation of its public action. This transformation rests on a simple yet fundamental requirement: durably restore trust between the state and citizens by consolidating more transparent, accountable, and results-oriented institutions,” he declared.
The vice president stressed that corruption is not only a risk to public finances. “It weakens institutions, fractures the trust between citizens and the state, discourages investment, slows growth, and fuels inequality,” he insisted. In his view, transparency is now a factor of economic competitiveness. “Good governance is no longer just a democratic ideal; it has become a strategic advantage for nations aspiring to sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he added.
Nestor Mbou: “Gabon is undergoing deep institutional transformation”
Taking the floor, President of the National Commission for the Fight against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment (CNLCEI) Nestor Mbou placed this evaluation in the context of reforms driven by the highest state authorities. “This mission is of particular importance for the Gabonese Republic. It comes at a time marked by a deep dynamic of institutional transformation led by the highest state authorities and a strengthening of accountability in public affairs management,” he said.
Mbou recalled the directions set by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema during his speech before Parliament in Congress on June 15. He quoted the head of state: “Before the liberation coup of August 30, 2023, endemic corruption, clientelism, and bad governance as a principle coexisted with high poverty levels.”
For Mbou, this presidential statement reflects a clear political will to tackle the root causes of dysfunctions that long weakened public action. He also recalled another major orientation from the president: “From now on, our country deserves strong, credible institutions, a cleaned-up governance, more in line with international standards regarding human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.” According to him, these orientations now form “the foundation for the action of public institutions engaged in preventing and fighting corruption.”
Séraphin Ondoumba calls for exercise of truth and cooperation
As UNODC National Focal Point, Séraphin Ondoumba welcomed international experts, praising the spirit of cooperation characterizing the mission. “For the Gabonese Republic, this exercise is particularly important. It reflects our country’s ongoing commitment to meeting obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and strengthening national mechanisms for preventing, detecting, and repressing acts of corruption,” he noted.
Ondoumba reminded that the work will focus mainly on preventive measures and asset recovery, two aspects he considers essential for strengthening the rule of law and protecting public resources. He also called on all mobilized administrations to make this “direct dialogue” a “moment of truth, progress, and renewed commitment in service of good governance, transparency, and the general interest.”
Three days to evaluate progress and strengthen international cooperation
Beyond reviewing legal texts, Gabonese authorities aim to turn this mission into a genuine space for improving public policies. As Mbou highlighted, “It is not simply about evaluating a legal or institutional framework, but also identifying best practices, recognizing progress made, measuring remaining challenges, and benefiting from concrete recommendations to accelerate implementation of our strategy.”
Over three days, international experts will exchange with administrations, courts, independent administrative authorities, oversight bodies, and civil society representatives to assess the level of implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption.
Through this evaluation, Gabon aims to demonstrate that fighting corruption is no longer solely a legal imperative but has become a strategic axis for governance, state modernization, and strengthening its appeal to investors and international partners.
