GABON'S NUMBER TWO, SENATE PRESIDENT GEORGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000231 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS KINSHASA PASS BRAZZAVILLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016 TAGS: PGOV GB SUBJECT: GABON'S NUMBER TWO, SENATE PRESIDENT GEORGES RAWIRI, DIES IN PARIS REF: 05 LIBREVILLE 0488 Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B) ¶1. (U) Georges Rawiri, President of the Gabonese Senate and perhaps the second most powerful politician in Gabon, died in France April 9. President Bongo ordered a week of national mourning and ordered flags flown at half staff. Rawiri was 74 years old and reportedly suffered from a weak heart. ¶2. (U) The death leaves a significant vacuum in the Gabonese political scene. The President of the Senate oversees the transition if the President dies in office; he becomes acting Chief of State and is charged with organizing an election to select a replacement within ninety days. 3, (C) Rawiri has been a fixture since independence, and was the only other man in the room with Omar Bongo when Gabon's first President, Leon Mba, died. Rawiri had significant business interests in Gabon, particularly in partnership with French companies. He reportedly played a role in stifling labor unrest by threatening to kill union leaders representing workers in companies connected to him (reftel). ¶4. (C) Comment: Rawiri's death will likely ignite a scramble for his business interests and his Senate position. President Bongo's choice of Rawiri's successor will be closely watched for clues about Bongo's intentions regarding his own successor. WALKLEY