GABONESE DEFENSE MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000217 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS PARIS PASS DEFENSE ATTACHE KINSHASA PASS BRAZZAVILLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016 TAGS: PGOV GB SUBJECT: GABONESE DEFENSE MINISTRY SECRETARY GENERAL REPLACED REF: LIBREVILLE 0196 Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B) ¶1. (U) Minister of Defense Ali Bongo elevated General Robert Mangollo M'voulou to the post of Secretary General at the Ministry of National Defense April 4, replacing General of the Army Jean-Remy Ondo, who was appointed Secretary General for National Defense at the Presidency. The Ministry of Defense Secretary General's responsibilities closely parallel those of Chief of Staff in other military structures and make him the senior military officer within the Ministry of Defense. Mangollo, a four star general, is now in a higher position than five star General of the Army Jean Ntori Longho; Mongollo may soon be awarded a fifth star. ¶2. (C) Comment: Like the replacement of the commander of the Republican Guard last month (reftel),General Ondo's move to the Presidency may be designed to ease him gracefully into retirement. Unlike last month's change, Mangollo M'voulou's installation, and Ali Bongo's role in it, were given good coverage by the government controlled press. As noted in reftel, Ali Bongo appears to be consolidating his hold over the military, and more changes in other senior positions might occur in the coming months. WALKLEY