Bongo won the election with a plurality of the vote according to official results, although the opposition alleged fraud; following a recount by the Constitutional Court, he was sworn in as President on 16 October 2009. Later in the day, he announced the reappointment of Biyoghé Mba as Prime Minister; he made the announcement personally "to underline the importance of this moment". According to Bongo, Biyoghé Mba had the necessary experience and managerial competence "to lead us through the next stage", and he said work would start "immediately"."Bongo sworn in as Gabon president", Agence France-Presse, 16 October 2009. The composition of his new government was announced on 17 October;"Gabon: Liste complète du nouveau gouvernement gabonais" , Gabonews, 17 October 2009 . it was reduced to only 30 ministers, thereby fulfilling Bongo's campaign promise to reduce the size of the government and thereby reduce expenses. The government was also mostly composed of new faces, including many technocrats, although a few key ministers, such as Paul Toungui (Foreign Minister), Jean-François Ndongou (Interior Minister), and Laure Olga Gondjout (Communications Minister), retained their posts."Gabon: La taille du gouvernement rétrécie, un signal fort d’Ali Bongo Ondimba pour le respect des engagements de campagne" , Gabonews, 18 October 2009 .
