Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANJUL188
2006-03-27 14:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

THE GAMBIA: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING COUP

Tags:  PGOV PINS CASC ASEC PHUM GA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271430Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6516
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0265
RUFGAID/USEUCOM AIDES VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANJUL 000188 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINS CASC ASEC PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING COUP
ATTEMPT

REF: A. BANJUL 184 AND PREVIOUS


B. BANJUL 178

C. BANJUL 177

BANJUL 00000188 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)

SUMMARY
--------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANJUL 000188

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINS CASC ASEC PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING COUP
ATTEMPT

REF: A. BANJUL 184 AND PREVIOUS


B. BANJUL 178

C. BANJUL 177

BANJUL 00000188 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) President Jammeh issued a predictably tough, defiant
statement on the failed coup attempt, describing the plotters
as "bed bugs and fleas" and warning that they would receive
no leniency. He also indicated the GOTG's determination to
host the AU Summit in July as scheduled -- "whether any
country, body, or organization likes it or not." Two allied
opposition parties have condemned the coup attempt, while
expressing hope that the GOTG will refrain from a crackdown
on the opposition. The number of detainees suspected of
involvement in the plot has now reached 27, by our count, and
we have registered concern to the GOTG over an Amcit
detainee, Tamsir Jasseh, and requested prompt access to him.
The extent of support for the coup outside the military
remains unclear; we will look for an early opportunity to
flag to the GOTG the need to avoid a crackdown on the
opposition in reaction to the failed plot. END SUMMARY.


JAMMEH'S PUBLIC APPEARANCE AND STATEMENT
--------------


2. (SBU) On March 24, President Jammeh made his first public
appearance in Banjul since rushing back from Mauritania
following the aborted coup attempt March 21 (ref a). Local
journals ran photos of crowds cheering Jammeh, accompanied by
a large contingent of aides and security officers, as he
strolled along a Banjul thoroughfare.


3. (SBU) On the evening of March 24, Jammeh issued his
initial statement on the incident in a televised address
(full text being sent to AF/W). It was a predictably tough
statement from the rough-hewn President, who referred to the
"cowardly plotters" as "bed bugs and fleas" and claimed that
they had undertaken their "unpatriotic act for no reason
other than sheer greed, inordinate and selfish desire for

power and possible outside influence." (COMMENT: In March 25
conversation with Foreign Minister Lamin Kaba Bajo,
Ambassador asked whether Jammeh was referring to a foreign
power with his mention of "possible outside influence"; Bajo
professed ignorance on this score, but reiterated, per ref b,
that he was not aware of any evidence of foreign involvement
in the coup plot. END COMMENT.)


4. (SBU) Jammeh went on to suggest that the plotters, or
sympathizers, may have been motivated by a desire to tarnish
the country's image with an eye to the GOTG's scheduled
hosting of the African Union Summit in July. He
remarked,"The Gambia is hosting the AU summit in a few months
time and some entities do not want to see that take place.
They want to give the impression that we are not stable
enough. They have failed and will always fail. By the grace
of Allah, we will host the AU with success, whether any
country, body, or organization likes it or not."


5. (SBU) Jammeh warned that those implicated in the overthrow
attempt could expect no leniency. He stated, "...attempts to
unconstitutionally overthrow it (Jammeh's Government) will be
crushed without mercy. Gambians can be rest assured that,
Allah willing, I will set an example that will put a
definitive end to these ruthless, callous, and shameless
acts of treachery and sabotage. I have warned Gambians long
enough. This time you can be rest assured is not the time
for sympathy. Enough of this nonsense."

STATEMENT BY THE OPPOSITION
--------------


6. (SBU) The opposition has also spoken out against the
incident. In a March 26 statement as reported by the media,
the representatives of the country's largest opposition
party, United Democratic Party (UDP),and the allied National
Reconciliation Party (NRP) issued a joint statement
condemning "all forms of regime or government change by means
of force or through the barrel of a gun." The two parties
expressed "regret" over "the actions of certain members of
the security force who attempted to resort to such action
rather than encourage peaceful means of effecting regime
change." The parties urged the GOTG to ensure "speedy and

BANJUL 00000188 002.2 OF 002


fair trial" for the accused, while also registering concern
over the detention of civilians and expressing hope that the
failed plot would not result in a "political vendetta and
witchhunt for opponents within the system of partisian
politics."

MORE DETENTIONS
--------------


7. (SBU) Meanwhile the number of persons picked up for
suspected involvement in the plot continues to grow and has
now reached twenty-seven, by our count. The majority of
detainees are current or former military and security
personnel; among the half-dozen or so civilians in custody
is an Amcit (dual national),Tamsir Jasseh, former senior
Interior Ministry official (Director General of Immigration)
who, as reported ref c, initially informed us of the coup
plot on the evening of March 21. Following GOTG's
confirmation to us March 25 of Jasseh's detention, Ambassador
spoke separately with the Interior Minister and Foreign
Minister, noting our concern for his well-being and
requesting that we be allowed to visit him at the earliest
opportunity. The Ministers took note of our request and
indicated that they would arrange for our access to Jasseh as
promptly as possible. On March 27, we followed up with a
diplomatic note requesting access. In conversation with
pol/econoff, the director of the country's largest prison,
"Mile Two" prison located near Banjul, confirmed that Jasseh
was being held there; pol/econoff stressed Embassy's concern
for Amcits' well-being.


8. (SBU) According to the local press, other civilian
detainees include, inter alia, the Gambian Civil Aviation
Authority's Security Manager, Lamin Gassama, a former
National Assembly member, Ramzia Diab and her husband, Raif
Diab, as well as a senior Finance Ministry official,
Accountant General Alieu Jobe. We are aware of one detainee
being released so far, current Director General of
Immigration, Musa Mboob, who was reportedly picked up March
26 and released later the same day.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (C) President Jammeh's statement on the failed coup
attempt is consistent with his well-established penchant for
engaging in tough, defiant, and convoluted rhetoric that is
less than statesman-like. His logic in linking the coup
attempt to efforts to thwart the GOTG's hosting of the
upcoming AU summit is murky, and we will seek clarification
from the GOTG. We will also seek clarification on his
reference to "possible outside influence" in connection with
the plot. Meanwhile, while Jammeh may take heart from the
GOTG opposition parties' condemnation of the overthrow
attempt, they made clear their concern over the specter of a
crackdown on the opposition in the GOTG's reaction to the
incident. As reported ref a, prominent local journalist Pap
Saine indicated to us that he did not expect such a
crackdown, but we will look for an early opportunity to raise
the matter with the GOTG.


10. (C) The extent to which there was support for the coup
attempt beyond the military remains unclear. However, at
this point, the possibility of significant pro-coup sentiment
among civilians -- at least among die-hard adversaries in
The Gambia or abroad -- cannot be ruled out, although our
assessment remains that the stability of The Gambia's
government and society remains intact. END COMMENT.
STAFFORD