Gabon assumes cames presidency for a year of academic transformation

The outgoing CAMES acting president, Dr. Diaka Sidibé, handed over the leadership to the incoming president, Pr. Charles Edgard Mombo, on June 19 in Libreville.

The 43rd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), convened in Libreville from June 15 to 19, 2026, concluded with a pivotal announcement: Gabon, represented by its Minister of Higher Education, Pr. Charles Edgard Mombo, has officially taken the reins as the institution’s acting president for the upcoming year. This strategic appointment positions the nation at the forefront of efforts to modernize, elevate, and expand the influence of African higher education.

Following the proceedings, which saw the endorsement of numerous recommendations and resolutions, the Gabonese government official reiterated Gabon’s unwavering commitment to ensuring this mandate translates into tangible actions and measurable outcomes. These efforts are poised to benefit universities, faculty-researchers, researchers, and students across the entire CAMES region.

“This year of Gabon’s presidency will be dedicated to rigorously monitoring the decisions made by the Council of Ministers, ensuring that every adopted resolution yields concrete results,” Pr. Mombo affirmed, outlining the key directions for his tenure.

Gabon’s agenda specifically prioritizes the diligent implementation of approved recommendations, fostering robust quality assurance and academic excellence within higher education institutions. Furthermore, the nation intends to champion initiatives aimed at enhancing the international visibility and attractiveness of scientific research originating from member states, alongside advocating for the digital transformation of higher education and research.

This forward-looking vision, as highlighted by Pr. Mombo, builds upon the foundational work achieved by the CAMES General Secretariat under the leadership of Pr. Souleymane Konaté. The 43rd ordinary session of the CAMES Council of Ministers formally approved the proposals put forth by experts who had gathered in Libreville from June 15 to 16. Among these approvals was an ambitious revitalization strategy designed to bolster CAMES’s standing on the global scientific stage. Despite its significant potential, the CAMES region currently accounts for approximately 2% of worldwide scientific output.

To reverse this trend, several innovative pathways have been identified, notably the establishment of a virtual CAMES Academy. Envisioned as a comprehensive hub for scientific and academic services, this digital platform will support member states and higher education and research institutions in their endeavors to improve university performance, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen researcher capabilities.

The program spearheaded by Gabon also emphasizes reinforcing solidarity among member states, fostering academic mobility, intensifying scientific cooperation, and promoting innovation, university entrepreneurship, and graduate employability.

Dr. Diaka Sidibé, the Guinean Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, and the outgoing acting president of the CAMES Council of Ministers, whose governance throughout her term was highly commended by her peers, applauded the dedication of member states towards the institution’s transformation. She expressed full confidence in Gabon’s ability to advance the ongoing reforms.

The Libreville session also featured a profound tribute to Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. His consistent support for higher education, scientific research, and African academic integration received unanimous praise from all participants.

With this presidency, Gabon inherits a vital mission: to evolve CAMES into an even more effective, innovative, and competitive entity, capable of addressing contemporary challenges in education, research, and development. This ambitious undertaking could herald a new era for African higher education and further solidify its influence within the international scientific community.

The supreme governing body of CAMES announced that the 44th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education is scheduled to take place in 2027 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.