Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LIBREVILLE312
2006-05-11 16:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

A RUMOR A DAY HELPS KEEP COUPS AWAY

Tags:  PGOV GB 
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VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0312 1311619
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111619Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9064
INFO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 1275
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0300
RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0906
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0383
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0792
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0654
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000312 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
KINSHASA PASS BRAZZAVILLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV GB
SUBJECT: A RUMOR A DAY HELPS KEEP COUPS AWAY

REF: A. LIBREVILLE 231

B. LIBREVILLE 196

C. LIBREVILLE 217

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000312

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
KINSHASA PASS BRAZZAVILLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV GB
SUBJECT: A RUMOR A DAY HELPS KEEP COUPS AWAY

REF: A. LIBREVILLE 231

B. LIBREVILLE 196

C. LIBREVILLE 217

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (B)


1. (C) A document making the rounds in Libreville is
asserting (again) that Ali Bongo tried to seize control of
Gabon from his father, and will try again, by force if
necessary. The document alleges that Ali, frustrated in his
ambition to build a succession mechanism for himself into
law, planned to poison his father and Senate President
Georges Rawiri, but only succeeded in Rawiri's case. Rawiri
died recently (Ref A),reportedly of a stroke. The document
lists those who Ali plans to arrest after his father's death,
including Ministers Jacques Adiahenot, Idriss Ngari, Paul
Toungui, Casimir Oye Mba, as well as Presidential advisor
Jean Pierre Lemboumba Lepandou and Generals Oleri, Ntori, and
Oyini. General Oyini was removed recently from his position
(Ref B) and an officer with less seniority was moved ahead of
Ntori in the military chain of command (Ref C).


2. (C) COMMENT: Keeping with the tradition that good
propaganda is built on a kernel of truth, recent changes in
the military are widely believed to be attempts by Ali to
secure his position for an eventual transition. The
accusation that Ali has tried to or plans to assassinate his
father, however, is not credible. More likely, the rumors
are part of a a smear campaign to publicly discredit Ali in
advance of any succession. President Bongo's willingness to
remove the head of the Republican Guard, which is not
controlled by the Ministry of Defense, hints Ali has his
father's support. It is possible opponents who believe Ali
is favored by his father are taking advantage of Ali's
relatively weak support in the streets to counter his growing
power in the bureaucracy.
DHANANI