Female Senate Speaker Sworn In As Temporary President of Gabon

by Yuliya Talmazan | June 14, 2009 at 05:36 pm

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Rose Francine Rogombe, the female Speaker of Gabon's Senate, was sworn in on June 10 as the interim president of Gabon following the recent death of Omar Bongo, the long-time leader of the country. Although Rogombe's capacity as a President will be limited, her appointment is historic. Rogombe became the first female head of state of Gabon. The consitution of Gabon designates that the Speaker of the Senate takes over the Presidency in the event of the current leader's death. Rogombe will serve as an interim President, but won't be eligible to run in the upcoming Presidential election.

Rose Francine Rogombe, speaker of Gabon's senate, has been sworn in as the country's first woman president for a transitional period at a ceremony in the capital, Libreville.

"I swear to devote all my strength to the good of the Gabonese people," Rogombe said on Wednesday while taking the oath of office.

Rogombe, 66, will have most of the powers of an elected president apart from authority to dissolve parliament or to hold referendums, court officials said.

She is constitutionally ineligible from standing in the presidential poll, due to be held between 30 and 45 days.