THE GAMBIA: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES "FORMER

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000775

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DAKAR PLS PASS RAO, ODC, AND DAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSES "FORMER
PRESIDENTS' BILL"

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

BENEFITS FOR FORMER GAMBIAN PRESIDENTS
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1. (U) The National Assembly recently approved a "Former
Presidents' Bill" providing a benefits package for former
Gambian Presidents serving at least two terms. According to
media reports, the package includes a monthly stipend of
50,000 dalasis (approx. dols 1,700) and other assorted
benefits, e.g. two government-paid staffers, three vehicles,
and round-the-clock security detail. Presenting the bill to
the National Assembly, Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy said
the measure was designed to "create a conducive environment
for former Presidents to continue to contribute effectively
to national development." Portraying the bill as an effort
to promote good governance, the Vice President said it was
"essential" to provide "commensurate economic and physical
security and respect" to the country's former leaders.

THE IMMEDIATE BENEFICIARY
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2. (U) The sole immediate beneficiary of the new legislation
is The Gambia's first President, Dawda Jawara, who governed
from the country's achieving independence in 1965 until his
overthrow in 1994 by the second and current President, Yahya
Jammeh. In conversation with Ambassador and Poloff, a local
media consultant who also serves as advisor to Jawara,
claimed to have personally drafted the bill. The consultant
asserted that the measure was consistent with the
well-publicized reconciliation in recent years between Jawara
and his successor. The source added that Jawara would now
have the resources needed to play an active role in a group,
"African Forum" comprising former Africa Presidents -- a
role encouraged by Jammeh, according to the consultant.

COMMENT
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3. (C) Our initial impression is that the "Former Presidents'
Bill" is more a favor by Jammeh to his predecessor than a
move to promote good governance by encouraging Gambian
leaders to limit their tenure -- or forego attempts to return
to power -- via the prospect of financial and other
blandishments. The elderly Jawara, by all accounts, no
longer has political ambitions and poses no threat to
Jammeh's hold on power. Jammeh himself, who has governed
continuously since 1994, first as junta leader and
subequently as elected civilian President, shows no sign of
an early relinquishing of power. Only 41, he was elected in
September to a third consecutive five-year term and has
publicly vowed to remain President for the next 30 to 40
years. END COMMENT
STAFFORD