Brigitte Onkanowa

Brigitte Onkanowa
Minister of National Defence
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 January 2024
PresidentBrice Oligui Nguema
Preceded byFélicité Ongouori Ngoubili
Personal details
Born
Okodja, Haut-Ogooué Province, Gabon

Brigitte Onkanowa (also spelled Onganoa) is a General in the Armed Forces of Gabon who has served as the country's National Defence Minister since January 2024.

Onkanowa was born in Okodja in Haut-Ogooué Province.[1] In 2018, she was the first woman promoted to the rank of Brigadier General within the National Gendarmerie of Gabon.[1]

After the August 2023 coup by the Gabonese armay deposed President Ali Bongo, she was appointed Minister Delegate to the Presidency by transitional President Brice Oligui Nguema.[2][3] She was announced as Minister of National Defense on 17 January 2024 by transitional Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima.[1][4] This made her the first woman to head the armed forces in a Central African country.[5] She was reappointed in 2025[1] and 2026.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mamba, Darelle (11 May 2025). "Brigitte Onkanowa: a sentinel serving Gabon". Gabonclic.info. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Gabon's new cabinet announced, featuring historic appointment of female defence minister". Africa Briefing.
  3. ↑ Tasamba, James (10 September 2023). "Gabon's transitional government names new Cabinet". Anadolu Ajansi. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Makemba, Karl (18 January 2024). "Gabon : le Gén. Oligui cède la Défense au Gén. Onkanowa et l'Intérieur à Immongault" (in French). Gabon Media Time. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Gabon : Brigitte Onkanowa, générale de brigade, portée à la Défense nationale du pays" (in French). Radio La Femme. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Gabonese president appoints new government". Xinhua. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
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