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GABON

Mini-reshuffle fails to bury hatchet between Massassa and Obamba

The replacement of four ministers in Christiane Rose Ossouka Raponda's government has done nothing to quell the infighting, especially between oil minister Vincent de Paul Massassa and head of the hydrocarbons division Jean-Félix Obamba. [...] (382 words)

Issue dated 10/12/2020 Reading time 2 minutes

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Energy

Who is really in control of the country's oil?

Gabon's oil and gas sector - the state's main source of foreign cash - is now in the hands of a close acquaintance of President Ali Bongo's son and coordinator, Noureddin Bongo. [...]

GABON Energy 06/04/2021

Total, Perenco and Tullow left hanging as oil minister sits on transfer deals

Vincent de Paul Massassa seems to be paralysed by lethargy. The government has approved virtually no inter-company transfer deals. [...]

Oil minister Vincent de Paul Massassa. © Facebook/Vincent de Paul Massassa

Domestic debt task force meeting chaired by Nouredin Bongo (far right). © Noureddin Bongo/Twitter

Inner circles

GABON Politics 26/03/2021

Noureddin Bongo's parallel task force network

President Ali Bongo's coordinator and eldest son Noureddin Bongo has found a way to assert his influence in government: task forces. These ad hoc teams of civil servants and consultants are ostensibly there to assist government departments, but can have a tendency to bypass them. [...]

GABON Politics 16/03/2021

On Sylvia Bongo's birthday, first couple travel to the Maldives

Syvia Bongo and Ali Bongo flew to the Maldives last week to celebrate the first lady's 11 March birthday on the islands. On the way, the presidential couple stopped over in Dubai. [...]

GABON Politics 05/02/2021

Strikes expose Bongo regime's shortcomings

Industrial action over back pay by two companies sheds harsh light on the government's failings. [...]

GABON Politics 11/12/2020

Bonus scheme changes create dissent in the ranks at the economy ministry

Nicole Janine Roboty, who replaced economy minister Jean-Marie Ogandaga on 9 December, has inherited an explosive situation among staff at the ministry's various department. Tax and customs staff are in battle mode after having had their bonuses indexed on the amount of money they recover for the state. [...]

New Gabonese finance minister Nicole Janine Roboty. © Ministère de l'économie et de la relance du Gabon

GABON Energy 23/11/2020

Marathon Oil yet to pay Tchicuate block fine in full

Oil states are increasingly imposing fines on companies that flout work schedules. Do such penalties still need to be paid? [...]

GABON Energy 20/11/2020

Oil minister Massassa settles scores with ex-GOC boss Engandji

The oil minister, driven by lingering resentment of both the founder and employees of Gabon Oil Co's marketing subsidiary, is delaying the placement of its former staff in other subsidiaries of the state firm. [...]

Gabonese oil minister Vincent de Paul Massassa. © Vincent de Paul Massassa/Facebook

GABON Energy 03/11/2020

Royal Haskoning and Arise advise Gabon Oil Co on its gas project

Following major structural changes, Gabon Oil Co remains determined to move forward with its plan to provide Gabon with local gas. [...]

GABON MAURITIUS Energy Business 06/07/2020

Bongo aides talk turkey with Trafigura after Augusta ouster

The office of Gabon's president is negotiating with Trafigura to take over the off-take agreement between Augusta and the national refinery company. [...]

Spotlight

LIBYA EQUATORIAL GUINEA Energy 27/08/2019

Total and Trident Energy victims of pro-Marathon/Exxon political networks

The drawn-out talks between Total and the Libyan state over the French major's purchase of Marathon Oil's shares in the Waha concession and the interminable negotiations between ExxonMobil and Trident Energy over Zafiro show just how much sway certain political [. [...]

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Direction générale des hydrocarbures
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Jean-Felix Obamba
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Noureddin Bongo
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Sylvia Bongo
Vaalco Energy
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