LIBREVILLE: The president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, on Thursday appointed the country's first woman prime minister, Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda.

The 56-year-old has been promoted from the defence ministry and takes over from Julien Nkoghe Bekale, who was appointed premier in January 2019.

In a statement, the president's office said her mission will include "ensuring (Gabon's) economic relaunch and necessary social support in the light of the world crisis linked to Covid-19".