Étienne Massard Kabinda Makaga—once a towering figure in the corridors of power—has been reassigned from his former influential ministerial roles to a modest technical advisory position at the Ministry of Water and Forests.
Makaga’s career trajectory had positioned him at the heart of Gabonese governance, serving as Minister of Presidential Affairs and National Defense, Secretary General of the Presidency, and Director General of several key institutions.
Yet, during the June 20, 2025, Council of Ministers meeting, he was notably appointed a simple technical advisor—a marked downgrade from his previous strategic portfolios under the Ali Bongo regime.
This shift, unfolding under President Oligui Nguéma’s administration, signals a clear erosion of Makaga’s influence and credibility within Gabon’s political landscape.
Observers interpret this move not merely as a routine reshuffle but as a decisive sidelining of a once-powerful insider now relegated to a less visible and technically focused role.
The appointment raises critical questions about the reasons behind Makaga’s fall from grace.
His prior accumulation of numerous high-level functions has often been criticized as impeding efficiency and rigorous governance, potentially contributing to his waning political capital.
Despite his recognized expertise—especially in environmental matters through his tenure at the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observation (AGEOS)—this new role appears more like an administrative exile than a genuine endorsement of his skills.
For Makaga, this demotion presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
To avoid becoming a footnote in Gabon’s political history, he must now demonstrate renewed discipline and dedication, particularly in a ministry demanding transparency and effective management.
Ultimately, Étienne Massard Kabinda Makaga’s journey from a key political heavyweight to a technical advisor encapsulates the volatile nature of power in Gabon’s evolving political arena, reflecting broader themes of change, accountability, and the realignment of influence.
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