Gabon: President Calls for Sanctions Against Public Administration Absentees. LIBREVILLE, Gabon — President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon has highlighted the issue of absenteeism within the public administration during an unexpected visit to the Ministry of Public Function on December 15, 2025.
The President has instructed department heads to penalize absent employees in order to make positions available to qualified job seekers.
Since taking office, President Nguema has consistently emphasized the importance of employment for young Gabonese and the optimal functioning of institutions for the benefit of the nation.
However, his surprise visit revealed that some officials are still failing to meet these standards, particularly in terms of absenteeism and the slow processing of administrative files.
In an effort to address these issues, President Nguema has directed department heads to dismiss absent employees, thereby freeing up positions for qualified job applicants.
Officials commented on the matter.
The President’s actions come as part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Gabonese public administration. His visit to the Ministry of Public Function served as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain, despite ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline government operations.
Further details regarding the implementation of these sanctions and their impact on the public administration are expected in the coming days.
For now, it remains unclear how the government plans to balance the need for accountability with the rights of employees.
