[5][6] Rose Francine Etomba, Is a member of the Galwa ethnic group, was born in Lambaréné, French Equatorial Africa (now Gabon), in 1942.

Despite her relative obscurity, she was reportedly familiar with the operation of political power in Gabon, being close to Bongo and a friend of the family of Georges Rawiri, a prominent politician who became President of the Senate before his death in 2006.

A new presidential election was required within 30 to 45 days, according to the Gabonese constitution,[11] although it was considered very likely that it would be delayed beyond that point due to the need to update the voter rolls.

[12] Rogombé was sworn in on 10 June 2009, in the presence of members of the Constitutional Court, government, Senate, and National Assembly, as well as foreign diplomats.

She took the oath after a minute of silence in Bongo's memory, swearing "to devote all my strength to the good of the Gabonese people, with the aim of promoting its well-being and protecting it from all harm, to respect and defend the constitution and a state of law, and conscientiously to carry out my duties and to be fair before everyone".

[2] Internet access had been cut and television channels played only religious music following the announcement of Bongo's death.