REPORTING ON HEALTH OF AFRICAN LEADERS - OLUSEGUN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002551

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/AA, INR/B

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2016
TAGS: PINR NI
SUBJECT: REPORTING ON HEALTH OF AFRICAN LEADERS - OLUSEGUN
OBASANJO

REF: STATE 150331

Classified By: Ambassador John Campbell for Reason 1.4 (d).

(C) Post furnishes keyed-in responses below on President of
Nigeria, Olusegun A. Obasanjo. This cable is classified
CONFIDENTIAL throughout.

SIPDIS


1. BACKGROUND
a. Age: Although officially reported to be in his late 60s,
sources close to him strongly contend that he is in his mid-
70s.
b. How old does he look: As much as 5 years older than
reported age
c. Height/Weight: Average; 5'10"/170 lbs.
d. Left or right-handed: Right


2. HEALTH
a. General: Questionable. Although he maintains an active
lifestyle, regularly playing squash, whispers of diabetes and
fainting spells have surfaced over the past year.
b. Stamina: Good
c. Posture/Gait: Erect
d. Tremors: None
e. Eyes, ears, face, neck, skin, breathing: Normal
f. Extremities: Swelling observed on feet/ankles


3. HABITS (OBSERVED)
a. Diet: Eats sparingly
b. Tobacco, Alcohol: None
c. Personal hygiene: Normal
d. Known medications: None


4. SPEECH
a. Organization: Varies, can be incoherent/illogical at times
b. Impediment: Hoarseness at times
c. Rate: Normal
d. English: Fluent
e. Translator used: None
f. Articulate: Yes


5. MENTAL STATE
a. Manner: Capable of being charming, warm, gruff, and cold;
highly aloof; and maintains a forced sense of humor
b. Emotions: Varied, though appropriate to situation;
displays moodiness, irritability, and anger, however, seldom
appears depressed or anxious
c. Reaction to stress: Calm
d. Intellect: Strong alertness, comprehension, and focus
e. Relations with family, friends: Reported to have fathered
21-23 children by 6 different women; family interaction
accords with traditional Yoruba practice; also reputed to
"use people" and "discard them".
f. Judgment: Sound, though capable of being impulsive
g. Unusual behavior: Some suspiciousness, not paranoia


6. MEMORY
a. Recall of questions asked: Good
b. Repeats self in same conversation: No
c. Loses train of thought: No
d. Difficulty with names/in naming objects: No


7. LEADERSHIP
a. Major biases or dislikes: As a former military dictator,
his style is authoritarian. He eschews insubordination and
disobedience, adhering to a worldview founded on both
uncompromising evangelical Christianity and Yoruba cultural
traditionalism (which he views as compatible).
b. Flexibility: Stubborn and unyielding
c. "Hot Buttons": Always conscious of position as a Statesman
and "world leader"; resents being lectured to by those he
considers beneath him, i.e. women, youth, laymen.
d. Level of confidence/Poise: High
e. Admits mistakes: With great difficulty
f. People he admires: G.W. Bush, Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair;
maintains close, personal relationships with each of them and
considers them "helpful" in achieving his goals.
g. Attitude toward U.S.: Fundamentally favorable; admires
American power and is impressed by American evangelical zeal;
in agreement with us on African regional issues.
CAMPBELL