20120228
AFP
Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba named Raymond Ndong Sima as the country's new prime minister following a resounding victory for the ruling party in general elections amid an opposition boycott.

The presidency made the announcement late Monday that Ndong Sima, 56, the agriculture minister, would replace Paul Biyoghe Mba as premier.

It marks the first time in Gabon's history that a prime minister is not from the majority ethnic Fang region of Libreville, but rather from the north of the country, home of some key opponents of the region.

Bongo's Gabonese Democratic Party (GDP) in the December elections won more than 100 seats in the 120-member parliament, although turnout was barely 35 percent.

Observers and journalists had speculated over whether Bongo would reappoint Biyoghe Mba, who came to office in July 2009 after Bongo's father Omar died that year after 41 years at the helm of the west African country.

After Ali Bongo was elected to succeed his father in October 2009, he reinstated Biyoghe Mba as prime minister.