Prof CHRIST HERMANN POUNAH

Dr. Christ Hermann Pounah is a distinguished Gabonese legal scholar, senior diplomat, and academic leader with a multifaceted career spanning international law, public administration, and higher education. Currently serving as the Ambassador and Director General of the Law of the Sea for Gabon, he holds the prestigious academic rank of Maître de Conférences (Associate Professor) and possesses a rich background in strategic advisory roles within the Gabonese government.

His professional journey is marked by significant leadership at the intersection of diplomacy, law, and governance. Prior to his current ambassadorial role, he served as Deputy Director General of the Law of the Sea (2021-2023) and held several high-level advisory positions, including Diplomatic Advisor to multiple ministers and Chief of Staff to a Minister of State. His expertise extends to multilateral security, having served as a Focal Point and Expert Member of the Civilian Component of the Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC-CEEAC).

As an academic, Dr. Pounah has over 18 years of experience as a university lecturer and researcher. He is the Secretary General of the African University of Management and Technology (AUMT) in Libreville and serves as a Teaching Researcher and member of the Scientific Corps at the CIREP research laboratory (University of Lisala, DRC). He also directs the Unit of Training and Research in Management Sciences and Innovation Management (UFR SGEMI) at the International Center for Applied Multidisciplinary Research (CIRMA). His teaching portfolio includes law, geopolitics, geostategy, and administrative writing.

His scholarly work is robust and interdisciplinary, focusing on contemporary challenges such as cybercrime law in Africa, the legal framework for telework and e-commerce in Gabon, international human rights law, and the law of the sea. He holds a PhD in Private Law and an Executive MBA in Strategic Intelligence, complemented by advanced masters in Financial Engineering Law, Geopolitics, and African Cyberspace Law.

A published author in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Pounah is fluent in French and English. His career exemplifies a unique synthesis of deep scholarly inquiry, practical diplomatic and administrative leadership, and a committed role in shaping the next generation of African professionals and legal frameworks. He is a pivotal figure in advancing Gabon’s interests in international maritime law while contributing significantly to academic and management education in Central Africa.