THE GAMBIA: PROMINENT JOURNALIST ON AU SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000274

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV GA AU
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: PROMINENT JOURNALIST ON AU SUMMIT
PROSPECTS

REF: A. BANJUL 169


B. BANJUL 273 AND PREVIOUS (NOTAL)

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

SUMMARY
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1. (C) While the GOTG has portrayed preparations for the July
1-2 AU summit as on course, AU Political Affairs
Commissioner Joiner reportedly used her April 18 visit here
to register concern to President Yahya Jammeh over GOTG's
abuses in connection with the aborted coup plot March 21. A
prominent journalistic source said that the odds still favor
the GOTG's hosting the summit, but that a last-minute shift
in venue could not be ruled out. END SUMMARY.

GOTG'S SUMMIT PREPARATIONS
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2. (U) Ref a reported GOTG's preparations, as of mid-March,
for upcoming "midterm" AU summit scheduled to be held here.
In the interim, the GOTG, while wrestling with the aftermath
of a coup attempt thwarted March 21 (ref b),has portrayed
ongoing preparations as on course, with President Jammeh
defiantly asserting that the event will be held as scheduled
here. The GOTG recently announced summit dates of July
1-2, preceded by ministerial and other meetings June 25-29.


3. (U) AU Political Affairs Commissioner Julia Joiner visited
Banjul April 18 and, following a meeting with President
Jammeh, told the press that summit arrangements were in a
satisfactory state -- while noting that the new conference
center being built for event had yet to be completed. (NOTE:
Emboffs have recently noted, driving past the site, that
indeed some work remains to be done to complete the
structure. END NOTE) In her press remarks, Joiner indicated
that she had discussed "certain issues" with Jammeh that she
was not at liberty to disclose.

JOURNALIST'S ASSESSMENT
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4. (C) In May 3 conversation with Ambassador, Pap Saine, the
Editor-in-Chief of the daily, "The Point," asserted that
Joiner's "certain issues" had involved authorities' reported
abuses of detainees held in connection with the failed plot.
According to Saine, citing local AU sources, Joiner had
conveyed to Jammeh the concern at AU headquarters over the
reported abuses and urged his intervention to halt them,
pointing out that they hardly provided a suitable background
for the summit.


5. (C) Editor-in-Chief Saine went on to assert that various
foreign, human rights-oriented NGO's had launched a campaign
with the AU's leadership to have the summit site shifted to
another member state because of the GOTG's human rights
abuses. He thought that the odds were still in favor of the
summit being held here, but would not rule out a possible
change of venue at the last minute.

COMMENT
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6. (C) As previously reported (ref a),we believe Jammeh
remains determined -- even more so,following the foiled coup
plot -- to host the summit, given his keenness for
recognition as an African leader of stature. He would likely
resist to the bitter end any effort to move the event to
another venue. END COMMENT.


STAFFORD