The month of October 2024 marked significant transitions within the Gabonese Embassy in South Korea, as Samba-Corée had the honor of bidding farewell to several esteemed diplomats. These ceremonies were filled with gratitude, advice, and memorable gestures of appreciation.
Farewell to the First Counselor and Chancellor
On October 11, 2024, the Samba-Corée executive team visited the Gabonese Embassy to officially say goodbye to the First Counselor of the embassy. During this meeting, a symbolic gift was presented to the First Counselor as a token of appreciation and a reminder of the family he has been part of in South Korea. In return, the Counselor expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from the Gabonese community. He provided invaluable advice on managing the association, as well as guidance for members in their academic and professional pursuits.
The occasion was also an opportunity to bid farewell to the Chancellor of the embassy. He was awarded an honorary member certificate from Samba-Corée alongside a commemorative gift, symbolizing the community’s appreciation for his contributions. With sincere messages of gratitude, we wished both diplomats the best of luck in their upcoming assignments.
Farewell Ceremony for His Excellency Carlos Victor Boungou
On October 18, 2024, the Gabonese Embassy hosted a formal farewell ceremony for His Excellency Carlos Victor Boungou, the outgoing Ambassador of Gabon to South Korea. During this event, the Chancellor presented a plaque of appreciation to the outgoing Ambassador on behalf of the Gabonese community and embassy staff. This gesture honored his exceptional leadership and dedication throughout his diplomatic mission. H.E. Boungou was the Gabonese ambassador to Seoul for 13 years and represented African diplomatic missions in South Korea.
The Chancellor, who has spent 16 years in South Korea, shared his pride in the Gabonese community, reflecting on its progress and discipline since its establishment. He encouraged the association to continue exemplifying these values and maintain the strong bonds they have cultivated over the years.
In his address, H.E. Ambassador Boungou thanked the community for their thoughtful gesture and praised the embassy staff for their loyalty during his diplomatic service. He also commended the Gabonese community in South Korea for their exemplary behavior and leadership, describing their efforts as “good for the heart.” When asked about the most memorable moment of his tenure, the outgoing Ambassador answered, “The grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of Gabon-South Korea diplomatic relations in 2012.” This milestone event was attended by approximately 600 guests, including ministerial delegations and artists from Gabon. He said, “It was a defining achievement in fostering cooperation between the two nations and strengthening ties within the Gabonese community.“
In closing, Samba-Corée expressed profound gratitude for His Excellency’s unwavering support and wished him great success in his future endeavors. His leadership and contributions to the Gabonese community will remain a source of inspiration.
These farewell events not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Gabonese diplomats but also reinforced the bonds within the community, setting a path for continued collaboration and excellence in the years ahead.
