On 10 January 2001, in the Magistral Palace in Rome, His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, granted solemn audience to the Extraordinary Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Gabon, H.E. Bonaventure Ndong-Ekomie, for the presentation of the letters of credence by which he will be accredited to the Sovereign Order.

The Grand Master recalled the importance of the Order’s humanitarian and health-care activities in the Republic of Gabon, particularly in the struggle against leprosy, implemented also thanks to the support of the local Government. The new appointment is expected to strengthen the existing relations between the Order of Malta and Gabon, with the common objective of easing the population’s suffering.