IMAGES FROM THE REGIONAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000314 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF AND AF/E LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM DJ SUBJECT: IMAGES FROM THE REGIONAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN ¶1. (U) SUMMARRY: Unprecedented aspects have been noticed during the campaign for Djibouti's first ever Regional Elections for which campaigning began on February 25 and ended on March 8. The Regional and Communal Elections are set to take place on March 10, ¶2006. At the end of 2005, President Guelleh announced that each political party would run for itself and that no coalition would be formed in order for popularity to be weighted, supposing that ruling party People's Rally for Progress (RPP) would walk off with the majority of the votes. It appears that results may shift towards the first major defeat of the RPP. As usual, the Opposition will boycott this election. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The campaign for Regional and Communal elections, the first in Djibouti, surprised most observers of the local political scene by its intensity and frank speeches. Five political parties and five independent organizations (civil society) are competing to attract Djiboutians who lacked interest during the first days of campaigning. However, this lack of interest rapidly turned into noticeable involvement by common citizens. Such concern for this election can be explained by the speeches and attitudes of the running candidates. ¶3. (U) Along with the ruling party, RPP, the Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD),Social Democratic Party (PSD),National Democratic Party (PND) and Union of Reforms Partisans (UPR) constitute the five political parties. The Movement for Development and Social Cohesion (MDCS),Citoyen (Citizen),Law and Justice, Arta-Damerjog, Hope and Future are independent organizations. During the last two national elections (Legislative in 2003 and Presidential in 2005, respectively) the first four parties comprised the Union for Presidential Majority (UMP). But this election will see each party compete for itself. ¶4. (U) FRUD undertook the most aggressive campaign among the parties. FRUD's meetings drew more people than all other parties, RPP included. It also included young intellectuals gathered from all social components of the country, unlike the ruling party who looked old- fashioned. When listening to RPP's mentors, the speeches seemed incoherent, and the country's growth was often attributed as RPP's successes. Economic booming was RPP's effort; Doraleh Project became RPP realization, etc. On the other hand, FRUD openly called for a change of structure starting at the head of the state. Before this campaign, such sentences were unbelievable to be pronounced by an allied party. ¶5. (U) Political parties usually used action and reaction principles during the twelve days of campaigning. One party said one thing, another party responded, and so on. But independent organizations and civil society addressed the vocal concerns of citizens. Insalubrity, health, education, and unemployment were among the most cited subjects during their meetings. MDCS and Citoyen took the lead in allying together day-to-day concerns and decentralization. MDCS criticized the Ministers and Members of Parliament, who MDCS said are pretenders, to step down because they are not concerned by the stakes - "Ministers are accustomed to be in the foreground, and they want to stay in the foreground on every occasion. Well gentlemen this is not your playground, leave this competition between those who want to be elected, or is it becoming an obsession for you", said the President of MDCS towards ministers. ¶6. (U) Comment: The RPP has never seen its popularity this low since its creation in 1979. Djiboutians are beginning to perceive the benefit of democracy. People in the street are beginning to think about alternatives in politics. Such thinking was unimaginable even a few years ago. FRUD will use its strength to pressure President Guelleh and his inner circle to make changes. FRUD is already thinking about the coming legislative and presidential elections (in 2009 and 2011, respectively),and how to develop its growing popularity. One thing is certain, the local political scene may never be the same again after this election. End Comment. BALL