GABON: GOVERNMENT DEVELOPS ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000499


DEPT FOR AF/C LISA KORTE; INR/B

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GB
SUBJECT: GABON: GOVERNMENT DEVELOPS ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE


1. SUMMARY. Ali Bongo's new cabinet spent the weekend of November
7-9 at an off-site seminar in Lope National Park, located several
hours by train from Libreville. The Prime Minister and members of
government were tasked by President Bongo to develop a road map for
"Emerging Gabon: Building a Shared Vision," the theme of his
presidency. The seminar sessions covered three economic "pillars":
"industrial Gabon," "green Gabon," and "Gabon for services."
President Bongo attended the wrap up sessions on November 9. The
ministers also discussed a code of ethics proposed by the President
based on transparency, integrity, competence and declaration of
personal wealth. This is the first policy retreat for the Gabonese
Government and continues to signal President Bongo's interest in
changing the expectations surrounding the government. END SUMMARY.


Ministerial Retreat at a National Park
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2. President Ali Bongo initiated a governmental retreat and seminar
at Lope National Park on November 7-9 to create a roadmap for
governmental goals and policy. The Prime Minister, all other
ministers, and their deputies attended the retreat.


3. The results of the seminar were discussed at the November 12
Council of Ministers meeting. The Council will establish task
forces and ministerial focal points to carry out the seminar's
recommendations. A code of ethics has been adopted and signed by
members of government.

Three Pillars for Bongo's Government
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4. On November 13, the President summarized his "Emerging Gabon"
goals in a presentation to the diplomatic corps. He requested the
support of Gabon's friends to achieve the goals, thereby ending
poverty and increasing prosperity. Bongo intends to increase
economic growth by reducing government spending on its bureaucracy,
and increasing government investment in infrastructure and human
resources. Bongo emphasized that he is responding to the demands of
the Gabonese for change to improve their lives.


5. The details on the Three Pillars of Emerging Gabon from the
Council meeting are as follows:

Industrial Gabon -- Develop Gabon's mineral wealth for clean energy,
especially iron, manganese and gas; forestry wealth for value added
production; electrical production to cover the country's needs and
export; production of synthetic fertilizer.

Green Gabon -- Make Gabon a pioneer in green economic development
based on durable management of forests; increase value added to
forest products; develop "geotourism" based on Gabon's diverse flora
and fauna; sustainable development of Gabon's 800 km maritime
coastline and fresh water; take advantage of "carbon exchanges."

Gabon for Services -- Develop Gabon's human capital to achieve the
other two Pillars by turning Gabon into a center of excellence for
advanced training and research, tourism business, health and media;
make Gabon a pioneer in Sub-Saharan Africa for value added services.


Strong Executive; Empower Ministers
--------------


6. Despite the strong position he holds as Gabon's chief executive,
Bongo's adoption of an American style off-site is one of several
measures he has taken to empower the cabinet and energize his team.
Bongo keeps tabs on his government through the close relationship he
has with his ministers, many of whom were members of his "reformers"
cohort during Omar Bongo's presidency, and the weekly Council of
Ministers meeting.


7. COMMENT. With the launching of the offsite, President Bongo
appears to be shifting his focus from establishing his government to
focusing on the economic future of Gabon an dhow the country is
governed. It remains to be seen how much autonomy the Ministers
will actually have to spend their budgets, hire and deploy staff,
and carry out programs. END COMMENT.