Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LIBREVILLE231
2006-04-11 11:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
GABON'S NUMBER TWO, SENATE PRESIDENT GEORGES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLC #0231 1011137 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111137Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8977 INFO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 1256 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0293 RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0903 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0378 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0785 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0634
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)
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
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