Officials pose for UNODC experts on 29 June in Libreville
Hermann Immongault, the vice-president of the government, officially opened the country evaluation mission in Libreville on Monday, June 29, 2026. This mission is part of the direct dialogue for the second cycle of the review mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The four-day meeting brings together technical experts from various government departments, officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and international partners to assess Gabon’s progress in preventing and fighting corruption.
Gabon has been a party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption since October 1, 2007. The country aims to strengthen ongoing reforms to enhance transparency, promote accountability in public management, and improve institutional governance.
In his opening remarks, Hermann Immongault stressed that fighting corruption is a key driver for economic and social development.
“Public integrity boosts the effectiveness of government action, secures investment, strengthens economic competitiveness, and creates the conditions for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development,” he stated.
This conviction is widely shared among stakeholders involved in the evaluation. Séraphin Ondoumba, UNODC focal point and commissioner of the National Commission for the Fight against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment (CNLCEI), believes the dialogue goes beyond a mere technical exercise.
“I remain convinced that this direct dialogue will not only allow a better appreciation of the efforts made by our country, but also further strengthen cooperation among states parties and promote best practices in prevention and anti-corruption,” said Ondoumba.
This mission is a decisive step in the second cycle of the Convention review, which focuses mainly on preventive measures and asset recovery from corruption.
For the head of the UNODC mission, Mohamed Cherbal: “During this week, the review team will deepen its analysis of Gabon’s anti-corruption mechanisms, with particular emphasis on implementing Convention provisions on preventive measures and asset recovery.”
This evaluation runs from June 29 to July 1, 2026, continuing the first review cycle launched in 2010. During that cycle, Gabon was assessed on Chapters III and IV of the Convention, covering criminalization, law enforcement, and international cooperation. That process included an evaluation visit from April 21 to 23, 2015, by experts from Sierra Leone and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Today, expectations are equally high. CNLCEI president Nestor Mbou sees this dialogue as an opportunity for continuous improvement of public policies.
“The direct dialogue opening today is a crucial step in the review process. It is not simply about assessing a legal or institutional framework; it is also about identifying good practices, recognizing progress made, measuring remaining challenges, and exploring avenues for improvement that can lead to concrete recommendations to accelerate implementation of our strategy,” he stated.
The mission’s findings will guide future reforms and further strengthen national mechanisms for prevention, control, and recovery of illicit assets, aiming to build a more honest, efficient, and accountable administration for citizens.
