Officials pose for UNODC experts on June 29 in Libreville
Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault opened the country evaluation mission on Monday, June 29, 2026, in Libreville, as part of the direct dialogue of the second cycle of the review mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The four-day meeting brings together technicians 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 combating corruption.
Having acceded to the United Nations Convention against Corruption on October 1, 2007, Gabon aims to consolidate reforms to strengthen transparency, promote accountability in public management, and improve institutional governance.
Opening the proceedings, Vice-President of the Government Hermann Immongault recalled that the fight against corruption is an essential lever for economic and social development.
“Public integrity fosters the performance of government action, secures investment, strengthens economic competitiveness, and creates conditions for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development,” he stated.
Séraphin Ondoumba, UNODC focal point and commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption and Illicit Enrichment Commission (CNLCEI), noted that this dialogue goes beyond a technical framework.
“I am 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 preventing and combating corruption,” he said.
This mission is a decisive step in the second review cycle of the Convention, focusing on preventive measures and recovery of assets derived from corruption.
According to UNODC Mission Chief Mohamed Cherbal, “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 June 29 to July 1, 2026. It follows the first review cycle launched in 2010, when Gabon was evaluated 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 that opens today represents an essential 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 affirmed.
The conclusions of this mission will help guide future 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.
