On Tuesday, 30 January 2018, at Hotel RADISSON, Libreville (Gabon), the handing over ceremony of OHADA's Council of Ministers chairmanship from Guinea, represented by H.E. Cheick SAKO, Minister of Justice, keeper of the Seals outgoing Chairman of the Council of Ministers to Gabon represented by H.E. NKEA NDZIGUE Francis, Minister of Justice, keeper of the Seals and incoming Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The ceremony was chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Gabonese Republic's Government, H.E. Emmanuel ISSOZE NGONDET in the presence of Members of Government, representatives of the Gabonese Republic institutions and of the OHADA'S Permanent Secretary, Prof. Dorothé Cossi SOSSA.

The ceremony was marked by four speeches:

• the introductory speech of the OHADA's Permanent Secretary;
• the speech of the outgoing Chairman of Council of Ministers;
• the speech of the incoming Chairman of Council of Ministers;
• the speech of the Prime Minister, Head of the Gabonese Republic's Government.

In his introductory speech, the OHADA's Permanent Secretary, Prof. Dorothé Cossi SOSSA, reminded that the Gabonese Republic will preside over the organisation's destiny for 2018. At the same time, he highlighted the job done by Gabon during its two previous chairmanships in 1998 and 2003.

He pointed out that, except as otherwise provided by the Treaty, the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers rotates among Member States in alphabetical order, for a period of one year per State. After specifying the attributions of the Council of Ministers and indicating that the Gabonese Republic chairmanship raises hope, he ended his speech with sincere thanks to Guinea Republic for its decisive actions during its chairmanship in 2017.

After the Permanent Secretary, H.E. Cheick SAKO thanked H.E. Francis NKEA NZIGUE, Minister of Justice, for accepting to host the event in his country Gabon. He congratulated the Congo Republic that chaired the organisation in 2016 and reminded that Guinea kept the momentum in 2017 and was now pleased to hand over to Gabon. He stressed to Gabon that the Organization he is passing on the chairmanship is full of vitality and offers reassuring growth prospects for Member States and their citizens.

Taking the floor, H.E. Francis NKEA NDZIGUE expressed his deep gratitude to Guinea Republic for its work at the helm of OHADA in 2017.

He indicated that his country feels greatly honored to be given the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers and measures the associated responsibilities. He also reminded that it is the third time the Gabonese Republic is given the honour to chair the OHADA's Council of Ministers. While reassuring that his country will do it very best to consolidate the achievements, he promised to work for greater successes for the Organisation.

Closing the meeting, the Prime Minister, Head of the Gabonese Republic's Government reiterated that his country, founding Member of OHADA, appreciates the privilege to chair their common organization in 2018

On behalf of H.E. Ali Bongo ONDIMBA, President of the Gabonese Republic, the incoming Chair of the Council of Ministers assured that his country will do great efforts for the success of Gabonese Republic chairmanship for a better promotion of OHADA.

The formal ceremony was followed by a work session between the outgoing and incoming Chairs of the Council of Ministers, with a review of major issues that needed to be communicated to the new Chairperson.

It is worthy of note that in the sidelines of the handing over ceremony, the Permanent Secretary held a press conference on 29 January 2018 during which he presented to the national and international press the strengths and opportunities of OHADA law; the contribution of its judicial system to the socio-economic development of Member States, as well as the extent and expectations of the Gabonese Republic's chairmanship.

The Permanent Secretary thanks the authorities of the Gabonese Republic for the warm welcome and the arrangements made for the success of the handing over ceremony between the Guinea Republic and the Gabon Republic.

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The Permanent Secretary,
Prof. Dorothé C. SOSSA
http://www.ohada.org/index.php/en/news/latest-news/2399-handing-over-of-the-chairmanship-of-ohada-s-council-of-ministers