Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside other African leaders, joined thousands of Gabonese citizens on Saturday to witness the inauguration of the newly elected president of Gabon, Brice Nguema.

Mr Nguema emerged as the president of Gabon on April 12, 2025, after beating seven others to win the country’s recent presidential election.

He had been the interim president for 20 months following a change in government and the ouster of former President Ali Bongo.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Stade de l’Amitié sino-gabonaise in Libreville, Gabon, saw military parades, march past and display of Gabon’s rich cultural heritage.

In his inauguration speech, Mr Nguema thanked the country’s citizens for their support, which led to his emergence as a democratically elected president of Gabon.

He pledged to work hard for the development of Gabon and empower the youth to secure the nation’s future.

The president promised to address the challenges of insecurity and criminality troubling the country, adding that the lack of adequate water supply will also be tackled.

Mr Nguema recognised the role of the United Nations, pledged to work with them, and called for peaceful coexistence amongst African nations.

Other heads of state present at the event included President Teodoro Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Mahama of Ghana, Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, and Adama Barrow of the Gambia, among others.

(NAN)