Rose Christiane Raponda
Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda (born 1964) is a Gabonese politician who is currently serving as Prime Minister of Gabon since 16 July 2020, making her the first female prime minister of the country. She previously served as the Mayor of Libreville and later as the country's Defense Minister from February 2019 to July 2020. Background. Raponda was born in 1964 in Libreville. Raponda is a member of the Mpongwe people. Raponda received a degree in economics and public finance from the Gabonese Institute of Economy and Finance. Career. Raponda worked as Director General of the Economy  and Deputy Director General the Housing Bank of Gabon. She served as minister of budget and public finance from February 2012 until January 2014. Raponda was elected Mayor of the capital city Libreville on 26 January 2014, representing the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party. She was the first woman to hold the position since 1956 and she served until 2019. She also became President of United Cities and Local Governments Africa. On 12 February 2019, Raponda was appointed as the Defense Minister of Gabon by president Ali Bongo Ondimba after the failed coup in January 2019. Raponda replaced Etienne Massard Kabinda  Makaga, a member of the Bongo family, who had held the position since 2016. On 16 July 2020, Raponda was appointed as the Prime Minister of Gabon, after her predecessor Julien Nkoghe Bekale stepped down. She is the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment is the fourth cabinet shuffle by Ondimba since the failed coup. Her appointment comes during the dual health and economic crises due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fall in the price of oil, one of the country's main resources.