Raymond Ndong Sima is a Gabonese politician who has been the Prime Minister of Gabon since September 2023. He was previously Prime Minister from February 2012 to January 2014.
Ndong Sima was born in 1955 and has a degree in economics from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. He began his career in the Gabonese government in 1982, serving in a variety of positions in the Ministry of Finance. In 1994, he was appointed Director-General of Hévégab, a state-owned rubber company. He returned to government in 2009 as Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development.
In 2012, Ndong Sima was appointed Prime Minister by President Ali Bongo Ondimba. He served in this role until 2014, when he was replaced by Daniel Ona Ondo. After leaving office, Ndong Sima became a critic of Bongo and ran against him in the 2016 and 2023 presidential elections. He lost both elections, obtaining less than 0.5% of the vote each time.
Following the 2023 Gabonese coup d'état, Ndong Sima was reappointed by interim president Brice Oligui to become prime minister of a transition government on 7 September.
Ndong Sima is a controversial figure in Gabon. He is seen by some as a credible and experienced politician who can help to lead the country through a difficult period. However, others view him as a collaborator with the military junta and a tool of their interests.
It remains to be seen how Ndong Sima will perform as prime minister of the transition government. However, his appointment is a sign that the military junta is willing to work with some members of the opposition in order to legitimize its rule.