CHAD: LONG AWAITED CABINET RESHUFFLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NDJAMENA 001260

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, INR, DRL; LONDON AND PARIS FOR
AFRICAWATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM CD
SUBJECT: CHAD: LONG AWAITED CABINET RESHUFFLE

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Kathleen FitzGibbon for reaso
ns 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 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

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support in the 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.

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NEW GOVERNMENT LIST
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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 Boukar

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

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COMMENT
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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.
WALL


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