Gabon’s newly named vice-president, Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou, is one of two opposition politicians appointed to key government positions.
The other, René Ndemezo’o Obiang, becomes president of Gabon’s economic and social council.
He was previously the campaign chief for presidential challenger Jean Ping in last year’s disputed elections.
The two appointees took part in reconciliation talks earlier this year with President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s governing Gabonese Democratic Party PDG.
In so doing, Mr Ndemezo’o Obiang defied the wishes of his candidate Jean Ping who has boycotted the process, maintaining his claim that he won the 2016 presidential poll.
Mr Maganga Moussavou, who leads the Social Democratic Party PDS, previously served as a minister under the late president Omar Bongo Odimba.
His son, Biendi Maganga Moussavou, remains in post as minister for small and medium enterprises.
Gabon has been waiting for a new government to be formed since May.
The majority PDG and the opposition are expected to approve a series of political reforms.
