Gabon's Bongo Appoints Diplomat As PM

Gabon's new Premier, Franck Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, was his Foreign Minister in the previous cabinet AP

President Ali Bongo of Gabon has appointed his former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franck Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, as Prime Minister to lead a national unity cabinet.

BBC Africa Live report continues:

Mr Ngondet was appointed by decree, three days after Mr Bongo took the oath of office for a second term following his controversial win at the presidential election. 

The new Prime Minister is tasked with delivering on the President's electoral manifesto, and he is expected to address high youth unemployment and the country's aging public infrastructure. 

Putting together the unity government is his immediate challenge.

The opposition leader Jean Ping has vowed to maintain his rejection of Mr Bongo's victory, prompting fears of fresh clashes, but so far the streets have remained calm.