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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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