RPP CONGRESS OFFICIALLY NOMINATES GUELLEH FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001356

SIPDIS

LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER; CJTF HOA FOR POLAD
FONTELA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ECON DJ
SUBJECT: RPP CONGRESS OFFICIALLY NOMINATES GUELLEH FOR
RE-ELECTION AS PRESIDENT

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Summary
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1. (U) The RPP (People's Rally for Progress),the
ruling party in the Djiboutian Government, held its
annual Central Committee Congress October 6 and 7.
The two-day event consisted of an ordinary session of
the central committee, a body of 250 members gathered
from around the country, and a second extraordinary
session designating the party's candidate for the
coming 2005 presidential elections. The congress
nominated, as predicted, current President of the
Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, as candidate
for his own succession. Guelleh spoke on a broad base
of national concerns in an address that seemed more
like a campaign program. End Summary.


2. (U) The President of the People's Rally for Progress
Party (RPP),Ismail Omar Guelleh, vice-president,
Dileita Mohamed Dileita (Prime Minister of Djibouti),
and General Secretary, Idriss Arnaoud Ali (President of
the National Assembly),presided over and spoke at the
October 6-7 congress in which the RPP nominated its
candidate, Ismail Omar Guelleh, for President of
Djibouti. Hundreds of party members and sympathizers,
as well as all members of government, community and
religious leaders attended the Congress. Guelleh gave
a detailed assessment of what has been done in the RPP
and emphasized that all party members and sympathizers
should have knowledge about the political, economic and
social situation of the country. He praised the 250 RPP
Central Committee members for their critiques on the
functioning of the party.


3. (U) The General secretary reviewed the general
policy of the party and its activity report. For the
time being, RPP has 34 satellite offices spread
throughout country. He asked the President of the party
to think about how to fund political parties broadly
since the multiparty concept is integral to the
country's political infrastructure and political
parties in Djibouti now have some serious financial
problems that might jeopardize or compromise their
existence. A juridical framework must be found for
funding political associations. "It would be
democratically and politically correct that political
parties benefit from public funding," the Secretary
General added. On visits of party officials to the
different satellite offices, he said the main
complaints heard were about unemployment and lack of
state documentation, such as the National Identity
Card. The 2004 budget of the RPP is 23 millions FDJ
(130 000 USD),of which 70% is provided by the state.


4. (U) The second day of the congress was the official
nomination of Ismail Omar Guelleh as the RPP candidate
for re-election as president in 2005. Prime Minister
Deleita announced the name of the candidate, which was
followed by a standing ovation. The RPP is in an
alliance composed of three other parties, FRUD (Front
for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy),PPSD
(Peoples Social democratic Party) and PND (National
Democratic Party). The coalition parties were also
represented at the congress. Mr. Aden Robleh Awaleh,
president of PND, sent a press release from South
Africa, where he is currently working as a Permanent
Member of the Parliament of the African Union,
supporting the candidacy of Guelleh. Guelleh requested
an appointment with the other political parties in the
ruling coalition, after the month of Ramadan at the end
of November, to consider adopting a joint strategy.


5. (U) In his acceptance speech before the congress,
Guelleh drew an overall picture of what appeared to be
his program for his second mandate. He emphasized that
improving the situation of the poor is a necessary
task. "Actions have to be taken to promote social and
economic progress for our weakest fellow-citizens, the
most vulnerable and most fragile ones" he said.
Addressing government officials he stated, "Whichever
person is eager to be invested in the destiny of the
national community must be measured by his capacity for
humility, responsibility and competence while
subjecting himself to the regulations of the
Constitution." In remarks clearly directed at
Djibouti's youth, Guelleh said he wanted to give back
to the youth both confidence and initiative. For women
in Djibouti, they should have their rightful place and
role in the national community. As for economic policy,
Guelleh said he wanted it targeted towards the needs of
human beings so that poverty can be reduced. He said in
his speech, he wished to launch a massive campaign of
literacy programs in rural areas. He said that a sound
economy exists where reasonable choices are made, and
is founded on "transparency, respect for universal
management norms, and macroeconomic stability".


6. (U) The means and logistics put in place to
guarantee a large gathering for the congress were
primarily ground transportation. Buses were rented to
transport party members and sympathizers from all over
the country. Photos of the president and copies of
speeches in French and Arabic were distributed to all
800 persons present in the Congress Palace.

RAGSDALE