Gabon undergoes un corruption review to reinforce governance reforms

Since 29 june, librevlille hosts the evaluation mission of the second cycle of the united nations convention against corruption (uncac) review mechanism. Over three days, international experts, gabonese authorities, and national institutions examine the country’s anticorruption prevention systems and asset recovery frameworks. For government vice president hermann immongault, cnlcei president nestor mbou, and unodc national focal point séraphin ondoumb, this assessment marks a crucial step in consolidating governance under the fifth republic.

Gabon has embarked on a new international exercise to gauge progress in fighting corruption. The second cycle review mission of the uncac, opened on 29 june in librevlille, brings together representatives from the united nations office on drugs and crime (unodc), experts from Chad and Libya, and all relevant government departments.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, government vice president hermann immongault stated, “the quality of governance has become one of the primary determinants of development, institutional stability, and citizen trust,” making this review a strategic milestone for Gabon’s international credibility.

anticorruption at the heart of fifth republic reforms

For hermann immongault, the fight against corruption is now a pillar of the transformation launched since the advent of the fifth republic. “since the advent of the fifth republic, Gabon has undertaken deep reform of its public action. this transformation rests on a simple but fundamental requirement: durably restore trust between the state and citizens by consolidating more transparent, accountable, and results oriented institutions,” he declared.

The government vice president recalled that corruption is not only a risk to public finances. “it weakens institutions, erodes the trust contract between citizens and the state, discourages investment, slows growth, and fuels inequality,” he stressed. In his view, transparency has become a factor of economic competitiveness. “good governance is therefore no longer merely a democratic ideal; it now constitutes a strategic advantage for nations aspiring to sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he emphasized.

nestor mbou: “Gabon is undergoing profound institutional transformation”

Speaking next, the president of the national commission for the fight against corruption and illicit enrichment (cnlcei), nestor mbou, placed this review mission within the context of reforms driven by the highest state authorities. “this mission holds particular importance for the gabonese republic. it comes at a time marked by deep institutional transformation driven by the highest state authorities and by strengthened accountability in the management of public affairs,” he said.

The cnlcei president recalled the directions set by president brice clotaire oligui nguema during his speech before parliament convened in congress on 15 june. he specifically quoted the head of state: “before the liberation of 30 august 2023, endemic corruption, clientelism, and poor governance elevated to a principle coexisted with a high level of poverty.”

For nestor mbou, this presidential statement reflects a clear political will to tackle the root causes of dysfunctions that long undermined public action. He also recalled another major direction from the head of state: “henceforth, our country deserves strong, credible institutions, a cleaned up governance system, more in line with international standards regarding human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.” According to him, these directions now constitute “the foundation of action for public institutions engaged in preventing and fighting corruption.”

séraphin ondoumb calls for an exercise of truth and cooperation

In his capacity as unodc national focal point, séraphin ondoumb welcomed the international experts, praising the spirit of cooperation characterizing the mission. “for the gabonese republic, this exercise carries particular importance. it reflects our country’s constant commitment to meeting obligations under the united nations convention against corruption and to strengthening national mechanisms for preventing, detecting, and punishing acts of corruption,” he indicated.

The focal point noted 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 the service of good governance, transparency, and the general interest.”

three days to assess progress and enhance international cooperation

Beyond reviewing legal texts, gabonese authorities aim to turn this mission into a genuine space for improving public policies. As nestor mbou emphasized, “it is not simply a question of evaluating a legal or institutional framework, but also of identifying good practices, recognizing progress achieved, measuring remaining challenges, and benefiting from concrete recommendations to accelerate implementation of our strategy.”

Over three days, international experts will exchange with government departments, courts, independent administrative authorities, oversight bodies, and civil society representatives to assess the level of implementation of the united nations convention against corruption.

Through this evaluation, Gabon intends to demonstrate that the fight against corruption is no longer solely a legal imperative but has become a strategic governance axis, a state modernization effort, and a means to boost its attractiveness to investors and international partners.