Paulette Missambo

Paulette Missambo
President of the Senate of Gabon
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 September 2023
President	Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
Preceded by	Lucie Milebou Aubusson
Member of the National Assembly of Gabon
In office 1991–2009
President	Omar Bongo
Ministerial offices Minister of Public Health In office 4 September 2006 – 28 December 2007 President Omar Bongo Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation In office 27 January 2002 – 4 September 2006 President Omar Bongo Minister of Labor, Employment and Vocational Training In office 25 January 1999 – 27 January 2002 President Omar Bongo Minister of State In office January 28, 1997 – 28 December 2007 President Omar Bongo Minister of National Education In office 21 June 1991 – 25 March 1994 President Omar Bongo Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms In office 26 November 1990 – 21 June 1991 President Omar Bongo Succeeded by
Personal details
Born	(1949-09-20) September 20, 1949 (age 75)
Political party	Nation Union (since 2009)
Other political affiliations	Gabonese Democratic Party (prior to 2009)
Education	Omar Bongo University Charles de Gaulle University – Lille III

Paulette Missambo is a Gabonese politician who has served as the president of the Senate of Gabon since 18 September 2023.

Early life and education

Paulette Missambo was born on 20 September 1949 in Kessipoughou, Ogooué-Lolo Province, Gabon. She attended Omar Bongo University in Libreville, Gabon and graduated from Charles de Gaulle University – Lille III in Lille, France with a Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and Diploma in Advanced Studies in french linguistics. She returned to Gabon and in 1982 was appoint principal at Port-Gentil National High School, making her the first woman principal in Gabon.[1]

Political career

Missambo was appointed Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms on 26 November 1990 and served until 21 June 1991. She was elected to the National Assembly of Gabon in 1991 as a member of the Gabonese Democratic Party and served until 2009.[1] She represented Libreville.[2] From 21 June 1991 to 25 March 1994, she served as the Minister of National Education. From January 28, 1997 to 28 December 2007, she served as the first woman Minister of State. She also served as the Minister of Labor, Employment and Vocational Training between 25 January 1999 and 27 January 2002; Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation between 27 January 2002 to 4 September 2006; and Minister of Public Health between 4 September 2006 and 28 December 2007.[1]

In 2009 she left the Gabonese Democratic Party and joined the Nation Union party.[3] In 2021, she was elected the head of the party, making her the first woman to head a political party in Gabon.[4] She was appointed president of the Senate of Gabon on 18 September 2023 after the 2023 Gabonese coup d'état.[5]

Honors

• Officer of the French Legion of Honour[1]
• Commander of the Ordre des Palmes académiques[1]
• Grand Officer of the Order of the Equatorial Star[1]

References

1. "Hon. Paulette Missambo". fawe.org. Forum for African Woman Educationalists. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
2. "Liste Alphabétique des Députés". Assemblee Nationale du Gabon. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
3. Goma, Yves-Laurent (21 May 2023). "Gabon: Paulette Missambo investie candidate de l'Union nationale à la présidentielle". rfi (in French). Retrieved 23 September 2023.
4. Goma, Yves-Laurent (14 November 2021). "Gabon: Paulette Missambo élue présidente du parti d'opposition Union nationale". rfi (in French). Retrieved 23 September 2023.
5. "Gabon: ex-opposition and former pro-Bongo at the head of Parliament". Africanews. 12 September 2023. Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.