Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NDJAMENA1237
2005-08-10 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ndjamena
Cable title:  

CHAD: LONG AWAIT CABINET RESHUFFLE

Tags:  PHUM PREL KDEM CD 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001237 

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DEPT FOR AF, AF/C INR, DRL, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA
WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: (##)
TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: LONG AWAIT CABINET RESHUFFLE

CLASSIFIED BY: POL/ECON OFFICER KATHLEEN FITZGIBBON
FOR REASONS 1.4.(b.) AND (d.)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001237

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DEPT FOR AF, AF/C INR, DRL, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA
WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: (##)
TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: LONG AWAIT CABINET RESHUFFLE

CLASSIFIED BY: POL/ECON OFFICER KATHLEEN FITZGIBBON
FOR REASONS 1.4.(b.) AND (d.)


1. (SBU) Summary:
President Idriss Deby reshuffled his cabinet on August 7, placing the
Ministry of Defense under the Presidency. Key changes include the
Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, and Finance.
The new cabinet may reflect the President's security concerns and his
ire with previous ministers in the wake of the public referendum. The
replacement of fifteen ministers is the largest reshuffling in recent
memory. The cabinet was expanded by three members and the number of
female ministers increased from three to six. End Summary.

2. (U)
President Idriss Deby changed his cabinet on August 7. Prime Minister
Pascal Yoadimnadji dubbed the new cabinet "the Government of Combat".
The new government's "mission" will be to win the upcoming communal
elections in October and the presidential and legislative elections in
early 2006. Yaodimnadji complained that the previous ministers failed
to eradicate mismanagement, embezzelement, insecurity, and impunity.
Deby reportedly advised the new appointees to be open to the media, on
message, and discreet about discussions among ministers. Ruling party
Secretary General, Mahamat Hissein, commented that independent

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journalists are now facing problems because they have sided with
opposition parties. Otherwise, Hissein said that the ruling Movement
for Patriotic Salvation would have intervened to assist them.


3. (C)
Most observers expected a cabinet change after the previous ministers
failed to produce a "oui massif" in the public referendum on June 6.
The President's travel to France for a medical vacation from June
15-July 15 precluded making changes until his return. The most
noteworthy changes were the removal of Defense Minister Emmanuel
Nadingar and Public Security Minister Abderahman Moussa and placement
of the Ministry of Defense under the Presidency. Previously, the
Ministry of Defense reported to the Prime Minister. Nadingar has been
named Minister of Transport. President Deby reportedly intended on
making his son, Brahim Deby, the Minister of Defense. Civilian and
military sources told us that the French opposed such a move, delaying

the reshuffle. The placement of the military under the Presidency may
be aimed at consolidating Deby's control over the military,
particularly at a time when he is concerned about security in the north
and east. Bichara Issa Djadallah, a Minister at the Presidency, is now
in charge of National Defense. Bichara, an ethnic Arab, reportedly is
well-placed to handle threats in the north, especially from Libya. The
move may enhance the ability of Deby's son, Brahim, who serves aa a
Secretary in the Presidency, to call on the military for support in the

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event of a power struggle within the family. (Septel)


4. (C) Minister
of Public Security and Immigration Abderahman Moussa's departure also
surprised many observers as he was considered to be the linchpin to
maintaining physical security in the country. One source suggested
that after last week's coup in Mauritania, Deby may have decided to put
a less independent actor in charge of security. Moussa may end up as a
security advisor within the Presidency. Routuang Golum, former
Commerce Minister, has been named Moussa's successor. Golum, a former
military general, interacted frequently with the Embassy on trade and
commerce matters while serving as Commerce Minister. He was active at
Commerce despite his lack of experience in commercial matters. His
security background makes him better suited for his new posting at
Public Security. However, we do not expect him to act as independently
as Moussa.


5. (C) An interesting addition to the cabinet is Mahamat
Garfa as Minister of Post and New Communications Technology. He is a
former head of the National Resistance Army (ANR). His inclusion may be
a reward for his Tama rebels' infiltration and sabotage of Mahamat
Nour's movement.


6. (SBU) Two members of Chad's Mediation Team for
Darfur were promoted. They are both out of the country traveling on
Darfur-related consultations so it is not yet clear whether they will
surrender their Darfur responsibilities. Ahmad Allam-mi moves from his
position as Special Advisor to the President for International
Relations to Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the Joint Commission
on the Cease-fire on Darfur, General Mahamat Ali Abdullah, was named
Minister for Territorial Administration. Some are surprised that Ali
was named to this post, which oversees the Governors and Prefects,
given that he is often rumored to be a likely successor to Deby. He
had previously served as Prefect of Moundou, Minister of Public
Security and Finance. Longtime Foreign Minister Nagoum Yamassoum
reportedly will join the "Francophonie" Institute in Paris, which is

increasingly serving as a mechanism for French support for African
elections. His positioning there is a prelude to next year's
presidential elections.


7. (SBU) IMF Resident Representative Wayne
Camard is satisfied with the naming of former Cabinet Director and
nephew of the President, Abbas Tolli, as Minister of Finance. Tolli,
according to Cammard is a strong manager and his ties to the Presidency
could be important to future budget discussions.
- - - - - - - -
-
NEW GOVERNMENT LIST
- - - - - - - - - -

8. (U) The newly appointed
ministers include:
Minister of State for Infrastructure: Adoum
Younousmi
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure for Transport: Emmanuel
Nadingar
Minister of State, Minister of National Education, Youth, and
Sports: Avocksouma Djona
Deputy Minister of Education for Primary and
Secondary Education: Mahamat Maouloud Izzadine
Deputy Minister of
Education for University, Scientific Research, and Professional
Training: Dr. Idriss Ali Faroukh
Deputy Minister of Education for Youth
and Sports: Oumar Boukar
Minister of Foreign Affairs and African
Integration: Ahmad Allam-mi
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and
African Integration: Dillah Lucienne
Minister of Public Health: Moussa
Khadam
Minister of Justice: Ngarta Mbaiouroun Edouard
Minister of
Finance: Abbas Mahamat Tolli
Deputy Minister of Finance in Charge of
Budget: Nadjalta Mirangaye
Minister of Agriculture: Payimi Padacke
Albert
Deputy Minister at the Presidency for National Defense: Bichara
Issa Djadallah
Minister of Economy, Plan, and Cooperation: Mahamat Ali
Hassan
Minister of Territorial Administration: Gen. Mahamat Ali
Abdullah
Minister of Public Security and Immigration: Routouang Yoma
Golom
Minister of Environment and Water: Hissein Ahmed Senoussi
Deputy
Minister for Water Resources: Haoua Outman
Minister of Livestock:
Mahamat Allamine Bourma
Minister of Urban Management and Housing: Dr.
Chene Adoum
Minister of Social Action and Family: Hassan Terap
Minister
of Civil Service, Labor, and Employment: Fatime Kimto
Minister of Mines
and Energy: Youssouf Abassallah
Minister of Petroleum: Mahamat Nasser
Hassan
Minister of Communication, Culture, Spokesperson for the
Government: Hourmadji Moussa Doumngor
Minister of Ethics, Inspector
General: Mahamat Bechir Okormi
Minister of Commerce and Artisans:
Carmelle Ngarmbatina
Minister of Postal Service, New Technology, and
Communications: Mahamat Garfa
Secretary General of Government: Djividi

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Boukar
Assistant Secretary of Government: Mirian Moussa Ali
Deputy
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights: Abderamane
Djasnabaille
- - - -
COMMENT
- - - -

9. (C) Aside from the movement
of the Defense Ministry under Presidential control, the other cabinet
changes do not signal any real change in direction or likely

improvement in government performance. The departure of many cabinet
members was expected after they failed to produce a large turn-out for
the public referendum on June 6. It is questionable whether this team
will fare any better.


10. (U) Khartoum and Tripoli
Minimize.


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