Togo

Gnassingbé nominates new Prime Minister

Article published on the 2008-09-08 Latest update 2008-09-08 12:58 TU

Faure Gnassingbé
(Photo: AFP)

President Faure Gnassingbé on Monday announced the appointment of a new Prime Minister in Togo-- Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, who was the Director of the UN Development Programme for Africa.

Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo also held the top post of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for Africa.

The announcement came after Komlan Mally resigned as head of the government last Friday although no reason has yet been given for Mally's stepping down.

The former prime minister had held the position since last December after the Rally for the Togolese Party (RPT) won elections despite a strong showing from the Union for the Forces of Change (UFC) of Gilchrist Olympio.

Houngbo is 46 years old, has a background in finance. He was trained as an accountant in Lomé and in Quebec. He worked as an administrative and financial director for the UNDP.

He is described by the Togolese government as "a man of consensus" which also says he is part of President Gnassingbé's continued efforts towards national reconciliation in Togo.