Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COTONOU990
2006-10-12 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN: WHEREABOUTS OF CHANTAL DE SOUZA IDOHOU
how-toVZCZCXRO7124 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0990 2851348 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121348Z OCT 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8877 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0956
C O N F I D E N T I A L COTONOU 000990
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: OFDP CVIS KCOR PGOV PINR BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: WHEREABOUTS OF CHANTAL DE SOUZA IDOHOU
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Daniel E. Hall for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COTONOU 000990
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: OFDP CVIS KCOR PGOV PINR BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: WHEREABOUTS OF CHANTAL DE SOUZA IDOHOU
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Daniel E. Hall for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Please see action request in Paragraph 6.
2. (C) On September 28 LTC Alassane BOURANDI, Director of
Military Intelligence appointed by President Yayi, requested
a meeting with Poloff. Bourandi began by asking if it were
possible for the embassy to determine the whereabouts and
international travel of a Beninese citizen in the United
States and track that individual's movements.
3. (C) When queried by Poloff, Bourandi said the person in
question is Ms. Chantal IDOHOU (nee de Souza; a.k.a. Chantal
DE SOUZA and Chantal DE SOUZA IDOHOU),the wife of Benin's
former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr.
Bodehousse Simon IDOHOU (who served as Benin's UN Ambassador
from August 2005 to July 2006). Bourandi said that, although
DE SOUZA IDOHOU is not currently charged with any specific
crime, his office is interested in knowing her whereabouts
because she amassed a large fortune under the previous
government of Matthieu KEREKOU. Poloff said he would pass on
the information and provide any substantive response.
4. (C) Bio background on Chantal De Souza: Chantal DE SOUZA
IDOHOU was born in Porto Novo, Benin on July 17, 1963 and was
rumored to be former President Kerekou's mistress.
Indisputably, she was one of Kerekou's cronies and wielded a
great deal of power while Kerekou was in power, particularly
in the final months of his presidency. On August 10, 2005
Post issued a G-1 diplomatic visa valid for 60 months to
Chantal DE SOUZA IDOHOU in the name of "Laure Justine Chantal
DE SOUZA IDOHOU" in diplomatic passport 03BD08696 (issued
August 8, 2005; expires August 7, 2008). Bourandi and the
embassy are not aware whether the subject holds dual
nationality, but deem it unlikely. (NOTE: Chantal de Souza
Idohou should not be confused with Benin's current First
Lady, Jean Chantal de Souza YAYI. END NOTE.)
5. (C) Bio background on Col. Bourandi: Bourandi was named
Director of Military Intelligence in April shortly after
President Yayi's inauguration. Previously, he served as the
Beninese Armed Forces' liaison officer for the ACOTA program,
and served with MONUC as an observer of peacekeeping
operations. Bourandi speaks English well, and is a former
IMET student who studied both at Lackland AFB and at Fort
Huachuca.
6. (C) Action Request: Post requests Department provide any
available information on Ms. De Souza Idohou's whereabouts
and guidance in responding to this request for assistance.
HOLTZAPPLE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: OFDP CVIS KCOR PGOV PINR BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: WHEREABOUTS OF CHANTAL DE SOUZA IDOHOU
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Daniel E. Hall for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Please see action request in Paragraph 6.
2. (C) On September 28 LTC Alassane BOURANDI, Director of
Military Intelligence appointed by President Yayi, requested
a meeting with Poloff. Bourandi began by asking if it were
possible for the embassy to determine the whereabouts and
international travel of a Beninese citizen in the United
States and track that individual's movements.
3. (C) When queried by Poloff, Bourandi said the person in
question is Ms. Chantal IDOHOU (nee de Souza; a.k.a. Chantal
DE SOUZA and Chantal DE SOUZA IDOHOU),the wife of Benin's
former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mr.
Bodehousse Simon IDOHOU (who served as Benin's UN Ambassador
from August 2005 to July 2006). Bourandi said that, although
DE SOUZA IDOHOU is not currently charged with any specific
crime, his office is interested in knowing her whereabouts
because she amassed a large fortune under the previous
government of Matthieu KEREKOU. Poloff said he would pass on
the information and provide any substantive response.
4. (C) Bio background on Chantal De Souza: Chantal DE SOUZA
IDOHOU was born in Porto Novo, Benin on July 17, 1963 and was
rumored to be former President Kerekou's mistress.
Indisputably, she was one of Kerekou's cronies and wielded a
great deal of power while Kerekou was in power, particularly
in the final months of his presidency. On August 10, 2005
Post issued a G-1 diplomatic visa valid for 60 months to
Chantal DE SOUZA IDOHOU in the name of "Laure Justine Chantal
DE SOUZA IDOHOU" in diplomatic passport 03BD08696 (issued
August 8, 2005; expires August 7, 2008). Bourandi and the
embassy are not aware whether the subject holds dual
nationality, but deem it unlikely. (NOTE: Chantal de Souza
Idohou should not be confused with Benin's current First
Lady, Jean Chantal de Souza YAYI. END NOTE.)
5. (C) Bio background on Col. Bourandi: Bourandi was named
Director of Military Intelligence in April shortly after
President Yayi's inauguration. Previously, he served as the
Beninese Armed Forces' liaison officer for the ACOTA program,
and served with MONUC as an observer of peacekeeping
operations. Bourandi speaks English well, and is a former
IMET student who studied both at Lackland AFB and at Fort
Huachuca.
6. (C) Action Request: Post requests Department provide any
available information on Ms. De Souza Idohou's whereabouts
and guidance in responding to this request for assistance.
HOLTZAPPLE