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, according to the government and a presidential source.
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 beginning of the cabinet meeting and felt uncomfortable,” according to AFP.
Moussa Adamo was taken unconscious to a military hospital but died shortly after noon, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
President Bongo described Moussa Adamo on Twitter as “a great diplomat, a true statesman”.
“For me, he was first and foremost a friend, loyal and loyal, who I could always count on,” Bongo said.
Notre ministre des Affaires étrangères, Michael Moussa Adamo, s’en est allé ce jour.
Il était un très grand diplomate, un veritable homme d’Etat.
Pour moi, il était d’abord un ami, loyal et fidèle, sur lequel j’ai toujours pu 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 tweeted his condolences to the late minister’s family.
Shocked and extremely saddened by the untimely passing of my dear friend Michael Moussa Adamo, Secretary of State 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 out as a presenter on national television and eventually Moussa Adamo became Defense Secretary’s Chief of Staff in 2000 while Bongo was Secretary of Defense.
When Bongo was elected president following the death of his father Omar Bongo Ondimba in 2009, Moussa Adamo served as his special adviser.
After a decade as Gabon’s ambassador to the United States until 2020, he became defense minister and then foreign minister in March last year.