Raphaël Edzang to officially assume leadership of the RPG in Libreville

Following his election as party president on February 21, Raphaël Edzang is prepared to formally take the reins of the Rassemblement pour le Gabon (RPG). The official handover ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at the party’s headquarters in the Petit Paris district of Libreville.

This investiture will serve as a platform for the new leader to unveil his strategic vision, establish the party’s trajectory for the coming years, and offer his perspective on the major political developments currently shaping the nation.

A new era of change for the RPG

Under the guidance of the new leadership team succeeding Laurent Angué Mezui, the party has adopted a resolute new slogan: “The RPG is change, and change is now.” Through this message, the party’s new figurehead aims to inject a fresh momentum into the political organization, prioritizing transparency, national development, and a closer alignment with the daily concerns of the population.

Raphaël Edzang intends to re-establish the RPG as a proactive force and an essential participant in Gabon‘s political landscape. As an economist and high-ranking official, he brings significant administrative experience to the role. Born on October 25, 1970, in Ellelem 1 within the Woleu Ntem province, he previously served at the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGMP) as the Director of Public Procurement.

A long-standing commitment to the party

His journey within the RPG began in 2009, when he served as a mission officer for the party’s founder. Since then, he has remained a steadfast member, representing the organization as a candidate in the legislative elections held in 2011, 2018, and 2023, and is slated for the 2025 polls.

The RPG was established in the late 1990s by Paul Mba Abessole, rising from the remnants of the Rassemblement national des bucherons (RNB). Historically recognized as a formidable opposition power, the party later joined the presidential majority during the administration of Omar Bongo Ondimba, whom it had previously challenged with intensity.