PRESIDENT DEBY BRISTLES OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001078

SIPDIS


NSC FOR AFRICA SENIOR DIRECTOR COURVILLE
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL CD
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT DEBY BRISTLES OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
REFERENDUM

REF: NDJAMENA 1021

Classified By: Ambassador Marc M. Wall for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. President Deby was evidently taken aback
by the Ambassador's remarks at the Independence Day reception
July 1 urging an open, credible electoral process over the
coming year. According to his chief foreign policy advisor,
Deby is concerned about misimpressions he thinks may have
been created about the U.S. attitude toward Chad. In a frank
review of the issues July 7, the Ambassador stressed our
interest in friendly, cooperative relations, but noted
concerns many in Chad have expressed about shortcomings in
the referendum on June 6 lifting presidential term limits.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Presidential Counselor Alam-Mi Ahmad invited the
Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 7 for what
turned out to be a discussion of the Ambassador's remarks at
the Independence Day reception July 1. Over a cup of sugary
desert tea, the characteristically jovial Alam-Mi said
President Deby was upset by the Ambassador's remarks and
wanted to know if they signaled a change in the friendly U.S.
attitude toward Chad. He said the comments may have left the
wrong impression. He asked if the Ambassador would consider
issuing another statement correcting any misunderstandings.


3. (C) The Ambassador responded that he had hoped to invite
President Deby to the reception personally and brief him on
what he intended to say. This had not been possible because
of Deby's extended stay in France. The Ambassador said he
had chosen his words carefully and believed President Deby
would agree with his points. He affirmed that the United
States seeks friendly, cooperative relations with Chad. He
noted that he had spoken with President Deby previously about
the respect with which the United States regards Chad's work
for peace in Darfur, its hospitality for Sudanese refugees,
its cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and its plan
for transparent management of its oil revenues. He asked
Alam-Mi to explain the points where he had concerns.


4. (C) Alam-Mi read through portions of the statement,
agreeing with much of it. He singled out as points of
concern the observations on our hopes for an open, credible
electoral process and our belief that voter lists should be
accurate and votes counted without manipulation. The
Ambassador responded that many Chadians have questions about
the referendum held on June 6. They wonder how a country
with nine million citizens could have more than five million
registered voters. They find it hard to believe the official
results indicating that almost 72 percent of them voted when
it was plain to see empty polling booths throughout N'Djamena
on the day of the referendum and similar scenes indicating
low turnout rates elsewhere in the country. They were
surprised by the announcement that a majority of 78 percent
voted in favor of the proposal for the constitutional
amendment. The Ambassador added that at the time when he
delivered his remarks three journalists were in prison for
articles the government had found offensive. Journalists
should be responsible, he said, but they have the right not
to be thrown in jail arbitrarily.


5. (C) Alam-Mi addressed these points in turn. Chad has
many citizens registered to vote living in Libya, Sudan, and
even Congo-Brazzaville, he claimed. Many of the nomadic
herders who voted were allowed to cast their ballots before
the referendum and were not seen on the day of the vote.
N'Djamena was more politicized than other parts of the
country and thus more susceptible to appeals by the
opposition parties to boycott the referendum. Thus it is not
surprising that turnout rates were low in the capital city.
Many Chadians lack confidence in their system, but they know
the country is fragile, ethnically fractured, and prone to
banditry. They are willing to accept a leader who has proven
he can assure stability. Responding to the Ambassador's
point that Chad has nonetheless made progress under President
Deby toward a democratic system and that its neighbors in
Niger and Mali have been able to carry out democratic
transitions, Alam-Mi said Chad is different. It is more


divided religiously and ethnically. On the press, he
acknowledged that journalists should be spared arbitrary
arrest, but he charged that many of the irresponsible ones
were feeding divisions and inspiring opponents who were
undermining the legitimacy of Deby's regime.


6. (C) The Ambassador stressed that it is up to the Chadian
people to decide whether or not to repeal term limits and
extend Deby's regime in power. Our concern is the process.
He noted concerns many Chadians have about the credibility of
that process and our view that it needs improvements. He
said he would look for an opportunity to speak out again
about the importance the United States continues to attach to
our relations with Chad. He expressed the hope to discuss
these issues with President Deby once he returns to the
country.


7. (C) COMMENT. Despite the Ambassador's various
discussions with President Deby's confidants in recent weeks
(ref),his remarks on July 1 caught President Deby off guard.
Part of the reason for his surprise is that no one he
bothers listening to is giving him similar counsel. Although
the independent press is freely debating these issues, none
in his inner circle and no other embassies seem to be raising
them with him. Having caught his attention, we hope it will
lead to a dialogue on his career plans and the need for a
credible electoral process over the coming year. END COMMENT.


8. (U) Khartoum Minimize Considered.
WALL


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