Jean-Claude Gakosso

Jean-Claude Gakosso (born 25 July 1957[1]) is a Congolese politician. He has served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Arts and Culture since 2002.

Professional and political career

Gakosso was born in Inkouélé, located in the Gamboma District of Plateaux Region, and studied at the Sorbonne in France.[1] He was a lecturer on journalism at the Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville, and in 1995 he criticized a press law passed by the National Assembly, accusing the government of "working to restrict press freedom".[2] After the June–October 1997 civil war, he was President Denis Sassou Nguesso's adviser on communication, posts, and telecommunications from 1997 to 2002.[3]

On 18 August 2002, he was appointed to the government as Minister of Arts, Culture, and Tourism;[4] he succeeded Mambou Aimée Gnali at the head of that ministry on 22 August.[5]

In a ceremony at the Marien Ngouabi Mausoleum, Gakosso rekindled the eternal flame commemorating President Marien Ngouabi on 11 November 2002. The flame had been extinguished since the 1997 war. Speaking on the occasion, Gakosso said that he had prioritized the restoration of the flame when he took over as Minister of Culture because "it symbolizes the pain, resistance, self-sacrifice, and courage embodied by President Marien Ngouabi."[6]

While serving as Minister of Culture, he also served for a time as Interim Minister of Communication, in charge of Relations with Parliament, as well as Government Spokesman.[7] His portfolio was reduced in scope on 3 March 2007, when he was appointed as Minister of Arts and Culture.[4] At the time of the fifth Panafrican Music Festival in Brazzaville in July 2005, Gakosso was President of the Festival's Steering Committee.[8]

In the June 2007 parliamentary election, Gakosso stood as the Congolese Labour Party (PCT) candidate in the Ongogni constituency of Plateaux Region. He replaced Pierre Ngollo as the PCT candidate; although there were rumors of rivalry between the two, Gakosso and Ngollo appeared together when Gakosso announced his candidacy, and Ngollo instead stood as the PCT candidate in the Ouenzé I constituency of Brazzaville.[9] Gakosso won his seat in the first round with 99.72% of the vote.[10] Following the election, he retained his post as Minister of Arts and Culture in the government appointed on 30 December 2007.[4][11]

Prior to the July 2009 presidential election, Gakosso was Rapporteur of the National Initiative for Peace (INP), a political association promoting Sassou Nguesso's re-election while stressing the importance of peace.[12]

Published work

Gakosso's writings include The New Congolese Press: from the Gulag to the Agora (La nouvelle presse congolaise : du goulag à l'agora).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Page on Gakosso at Congo-site.net (2007 archive page) (French).
  2. ^ Nana Rosine Ngangoue, "Congo-media: Muzzling the press", Inter Press Service English News Wire, 30 September 1995.
  3. ^ "Who's Who", Congo Brazzaville: Les Hommes de Pouvoir n°1, Africa Intelligence, 29 October 2002 (French).
  4. ^ a b c List of governments of Congo since 1999, izf.net (French).
  5. ^ "Jean-Claude Gakosso prend ses fonctions au ministère de la Culture, des arts et du tourisme", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 23 August 2002 (French).
  6. ^ "Jean-Claude Gakosso ranime la flamme du mausolée Marien Ngouabi à Brazzaville", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 14 November 2002 (French).
  7. ^ Council of Ministers document, Congolese Presidency website, 13 February 2007 (French).
  8. ^ David Cadasse, "Fespam 2005", Afrik.com, 18 July 2005 (French).
  9. ^ "Législatives 2007. Jean Claude Gakosso annonce à Brazzaville sa candidature aux ressortissants du district d'Ongogni", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 6 June 2007 (French).
  10. ^ "Elections législatives : les 44 élus du premier tour", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 2 July 2007 (French).
  11. ^ "Formation d'un nouveau gouvernement au Congo", Panapress (afrik.com), 31 December 2007 (French).
  12. ^ Thierry Noungou, "Plusieurs personnalités proches du président Denis Sassou N'Guesso s'organisent autour du concept de la paix", Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 2 March 2009 (French).