Four officers from Gabon were among the 86 graduates of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Junior Staff College (JSC) in Jinja, marking the successful completion of a four-month Grade III Staff Course. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Brig Gen James Kinalwa, the Joint Staff Human Resource Management in the UPDF, hailed the milestone as evidence of a sustained effort to develop professional commanders and staff officers for a competent and effective army. “I am certain that you are going to apply the knowledge you have acquired effectively and efficiently wherever you will be. Let what you have learned guide you to success in your military careers,” Gen Kinalwa advised the officers, urging them to embrace competence, teamwork, and adaptability in their roles. The Commandant of the Junior Staff College, Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, highlighted the significance of this 36/24-25 intake, which included 82 Ugandan officers and four allied students...

TLDR Gabon’s dollar bonds rallied after the nation’s junta announced presidential elections will take place on April 12, 2025 The election will follow the timeline promised by military leaders after Brice Oligui Nguema overthrew former President Ali Bongo The 2023 coup came after disputed elections, with the military citing irregularities Gabon’s dollar bonds rallied after the nation’s junta announced presidential elections will take place on April 12, 2025, signaling a potential return to civilian rule. The election will follow the timeline promised by military leaders after Brice Oligui Nguema overthrew former President Ali Bongo in August 2023. Energy Minister Séraphin Akure-Davin confirmed the date, stating voting will follow existing regulations. No candidates have yet declared their intention to run. Under the constitution adopted in November 2024, Gabon will shift to a presidential system, abolishing the prime minister role, with a seven-year presidential term and a one-time re-election limit. The 2023...

Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, appointed Mark Doumba as the new economy minister Doumba, a Harvard-trained entrepreneur, will tackle the nation’s growing debt challenges The changes come as Gabon faces $27 million in arrears to the World Bank, which recently suspended disbursements Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, appointed Mark Doumba as the new economy minister to tackle the nation’s growing debt challenges. Doumba, a Harvard-trained entrepreneur, replaces Mays Mouissi in a cabinet reshuffle announced Wednesday. The changes come as Gabon faces $27 million in arrears to the World Bank, which recently suspended disbursements. The oil producer also has $700 million in Eurobonds maturing in June and $1.8 billion due in 2031. Following the reshuffle, bond yields on the 2025 and 2031 notes eased slightly, reflecting cautious optimism. Nguema, who took power in a 2023 coup, has pledged to stabilize the economy ahead of presidential elections in August, where...

Yaoundé — Civilians in Gabon are being encouraged this month to register to vote in presidential elections scheduled for August 2025, as ordered by transitional President General Brica Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The planned elections are envisioned to end a two-year transition to civilian rule. Voter registration began Jan. 2 and is due to conclude at the end of the month. Gabon’s political opposition says voter registration has not been as robust as expected because civilians believe the transitional president wants to confiscate power, assertions that Nguema denies. The elections are part of a plan for a return to constitutional order after an Aug. 30, 2023 coup that ousted longtime President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Gabon officials say at least 300,000 new voters, who have either reached the legal voting age of 18 or who are not yet registered, are expected to be added to the 860,000 or so civilians that registered...