Alexandre Sambat

Alexandre Sambat (4 October 1948[1] – 19 September 1998[2]) was a Gabonese politician and diplomat. He was Gabon's Ambassador to the United States from 1991[3] to 1993 and then joined the opposition in Gabon, standing unsuccessfully as a candidate in the December 1993 presidential election. After that election, he served in the government until his death in 1998.

Born in Makokou, Sambat became a chemical engineer.[1] He was Minister of National Education until being appointed as Minister of State for Tourism, Leisure, and National Parks on 18 November 1987.[4] He was subsequently appointed as Ambassador to the United States on 26 April 1991 and presented his credentials on 11 June 1991.[3]

A composition by Sambat, the "World Peace Song", premiered in January 1992; Sambat sang and played keyboard during the performance, which was characterized by a "bright, melodic refrain". Its lyrics were in both English and French.[5]

After the 1993 election, he was again included in the government; as of 1995 he was Minister of Human Rights.[6] He was the only member of the opposition included in the government that was named on 28 January 1997;[7] on that occasion he was appointed as Minister of Youth, Sports, and Leisure.[8]

Sambat remained Minister of Youth and Sports until he died of an aneurysm at a Paris hospital in September 1998.[2] He was succeeded as Minister of Youth and Sports by Pierre Emboni.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Les Élites africaines, page 385.
  2. ^ a b James Morrison, "Embassy Row", The Washington Times, 22 September 1998.
  3. ^ a b List of Gabonese ambassadors to the United States, US Department of State.
  4. ^ "Oct 1988 - Cabinet changes-1988 budget-External debt arrangements", Keesing's Record of World Events, Volume 34, October, 1988 Gabon, Page 36201.
  5. ^ Jeanne Spaeth, "King Choral Tribute", The Washington Post, 17 January 1992.
  6. ^ "III. ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SESSION", Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 1995.
  7. ^ "Gabon: no big changes in new forty-member cabinet", Africa No 1 radio, Libreville (nl.newsbank.com), 29 January 1997.
  8. ^ "Décret N° 144/PR, fixant la composition du Gouvernement.", Journal Officiel de la République Gabonaise, January 1997, pages 2–3 (in French).
  9. ^ Jeune Afrique économie, Issues 272-277 (1998), page 117 (in French).