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