Libreville, Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (Infos Gabon) – Following the government reshuffle of January 1, 2026, the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Water and Forests was held this Tuesday, January 6, in Libreville.
Presided over by the Secretary-General of the Government, Abdul Razzaq Guy Kambogo, the ceremony marked the return of Maurice Ntossui Allogo to the head of a ministry now expanded to include Environment and Climate, placing it at the heart of Gabon’s sustainable development challenges.
A Solemn Transition at the Highest Level of the State
In an atmosphere marked by solemnity and republican rigor, the ceremony officially formalized the transition between the outgoing interim minister, Marc Alexandre Doumba, and the incoming minister, Maurice Ntossui Allogo. The latter returns to a department he previously led before his resignation, now expanded to cover major areas including Environment, Climate, and the management of Human–Wildlife Conflict.
The handover, conducted under the authority of the Secretary-General of the Government, was punctuated by the exchange of technical files and the signing of official handover reports, formally confirming the transfer of responsibilities.
A Ministry Expanded to Environmental and Climate Challenges
The new configuration of the ministry reflects the highest authorities’ determination to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to the management of natural resources. By bringing together forests, environment, and climate, the executive aims to strengthen policy coherence in a context shaped by biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the sustainable valorization of forest resources.
The sensitive issue of Human–Wildlife Conflict, with its significant social and economic impacts, also remains under the ministry’s responsibility, reaffirming its central role in balancing conservation and development.
Presidential Gratitude and Strategic Vision
In his address, Maurice Ntossui Allogo expressed his deep gratitude to the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, for the renewed trust placed in him. He emphasized the highly strategic nature of the Ministry of Water and Forests, describing it as a “production ministry,” and stressed that the dignity of the Gabonese people is inseparable from responsible, transparent, and sovereign management of natural resources.
The minister also highlighted the new paramilitary identity of the Water and Forests corps, which he intends to leverage in support of public action grounded in discipline, rigor, and a strong sense of duty.
Accelerating the Forest Sector’s Contribution to Growth
Determined to align his action with the momentum of the Fifth Republic, Maurice Ntossui Allogo committed to placing people at the heart of public policies while strengthening the forest sector’s contribution to national economic growth.
The stated objective is clear: to increase local value addition, enhance economic benefits for local communities, and make Gabon’s forest heritage a sustainable driver of development, in line with environmental protection and the country’s international commitments.
A Major Endeavor for the Fifth Republic
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a message of continuity and mobilization prevailed. The work already underway will continue with determination and commitment, in the service of the Nation and the preservation of Gabon’s natural heritage.
At a time when environmental issues occupy a central place in public policy, Maurice Ntossui Allogo’s return to the helm of this expanded ministry marks the beginning of a new chapter—one driven by the ambition to reconcile sovereignty, economic development, and the sustainable protection of natural resources.
