Following his election as party president on 21 February, Raphaël Edzang is prepared to formally assume leadership of the Rassemblement pour le Gabon (RPG). The official ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 27 June, at the party’s headquarters located in the Petit Paris district of Libreville.
A new vision for the RPG
The investiture of the incoming president will provide a stage for him to articulate his strategic roadmap, define objectives for the future, and share his perspectives on the most significant issues currently affecting the nation.
“The RPG is change, and change is now” serves as the fresh rallying cry for the political organization. This slogan, introduced by the new leadership succeeding Laurent Angué Mezui, signals a desire to breathe new life into the party. Raphaël Edzang intends to prioritize integrity, socio-economic progress, and a closer connection to the everyday concerns of the population.
Furthermore, the new leader aims to restore the RPG as a pivotal political player and a source of innovative proposals within the national arena.
The profile of an experienced administrator
An economist by profession, Raphaël Edzang is a high-ranking official born on 25 October 1970, in Ellelem 1, located in the Woleu Ntem province. His professional career is marked by his time at the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGMP), where he served as the Director of Public Procurement.
His political commitment to the RPG dates back to 2009, when he served as a special advisor to the party president. Since then, he has remained a steadfast member, standing as the party’s candidate in the legislative elections of 2011, 2018, 2023, and 2025.
Historical roots of the party
The RPG was established in the late 1990s by Paul Mba Abessole, rising from the remains of the Rassemblement national des bucherons (RNB) following its division. While it initially gained prominence as a powerful opposition force, the party eventually joined the presidential majority during the administration of Omar Bongo Ondimba, whom it had previously opposed with great intensity.
