Officials posing with UNODC experts on 29 June in Libreville
The Vice President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, officially opened the country evaluation mission in Libreville on Monday, 29 June 2026, as part of the direct dialogue of the second cycle of the review mechanism for the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The four-day gathering brings together technical staff from various administrations, experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and international partners to assess Gabon’s progress in preventing and fighting corruption.
Since joining the UNCAC on 1 October 2007, Gabon aims to consolidate its ongoing reforms to enhance transparency, promote accountability in public management, and improve institutional governance.
In his opening remarks, Vice President Hermann Immongault underscored that the fight against corruption is a critical driver of economic and social development.
“Public integrity boosts the performance 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 by stakeholders involved in the evaluation process. For Séraphin Ondoumba, UNODC focal point and commissioner of the National Commission for the Fight against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment (CNLCEI), this dialogue goes beyond mere technicalities.
“I remain confident that this direct dialogue will not only allow us to better appreciate our country’s efforts, but also strengthen cooperation among States Parties and promote best practices in corruption prevention and control,” said Mr. Ondoumba.
The mission represents a decisive step in the second review cycle of the Convention, focusing primarily on preventive measures and asset recovery.
UNODC Mission Chief Mohamed Cherbal noted, “During this week, the review team will deepen its analysis of Gabon’s anti-corruption mechanisms, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the Convention’s provisions on preventive measures and asset recovery.”
This new evaluation runs from 29 June to 1 July 2026. It follows the first review cycle launched in 2010. At that time, Gabon was assessed on Chapters III and IV of the Convention, concerning criminalization, law enforcement, and international cooperation. That process included an evaluation visit from 21 to 23 April 2015 by experts from Sierra Leone and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Expectations are equally high today. CNLCEI President Nestor Mbou sees this dialogue as an opportunity for continuous improvement of public policies.
“The direct dialogue starting today is an essential stage of the review process. It is not merely about evaluating a legal or institutional framework; it is also about identifying good practices, acknowledging progress made, measuring remaining challenges, and exploring avenues for improvement that can lead to concrete recommendations to accelerate the implementation of our strategy,” he affirmed.
The mission’s conclusions are expected to guide upcoming reforms and further strengthen national mechanisms for prevention, control, and recovery of illicit assets, with the goal of building a more honest, efficient, and accountable administration for citizens.
