Michael Moussa Adamo was a longtime ally of President Bongo, even before he became president in 2009.
Gabon’s foreign minister Michael Moussa Adamo died of a heart attack during a cabinet meeting, the government and a presidential source said.
The 62-year-old who was an ally of President Ali Bongo Ondimba died “despite efforts by specialists” to revive him, the government said in a brief statement on Friday.
A source close to the presidential palace said he “sat down at the start of the cabinet meeting and began to feel unwell,” according to AFP.
Moussa Adamo was taken unconscious to a military hospital but died shortly after noon, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Chairman Bongo described Moussa Adamo on Twitter as “a great diplomat, a true statesman”.
“To me, he was first and foremost a friend, loyal and faithful, who I could always count on,” said Bongo.
Notre ministre des Affaires étrangères, Michael Moussa Adamo, s’en est allé ce jour.
He is a great diplomat, a véritable homme d’Etat.
Whether you are a boyfriend or girlfriend, loyal and fidèle, if you are your compter.
C’est une perte immense pour le #Gabon.#REST IN PEACE— Ali Bongo Ondimba (@PresidentABO) January 20, 2023
Abdulla Shahid, Adamo’s counterpart in the Maldives, also expressed his condolences to the late minister’s family on Twitter.
Shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely death of my dear friend Michael Moussa Adamo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of #Gabon.
My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. And to the government of Gabon on this loss.
I will miss his friendship and wise advice. pic.twitter.com/ywNizXarJw
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) January 20, 2023
Moussa Adamo was born in 1961 in the northeastern city of Makokou. He started as a presenter on national television and eventually, in 2000, while Bongo was Defense Minister, Moussa Adamo became Chief of Staff to the Defense Minister.
When Bongo was elected president in 2009 after the death of his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, Moussa Adamo was his special adviser.
After ten years as Gabon’s ambassador to the United States until 2020, he first became Minister of Defense and then Minister of Foreign Affairs in March last year.
