Sambi Announces New Cabinet, Island Election Dates

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000304

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN
SUBJECT: Sambi Announces New Cabinet, Island Election Dates



1. (U) SUMMARY: President Sambi expanded his cabinet by adding four
new Ministers and shrinking the massive portfolios of his existing
team. None of the Ministers in place since 2006 was removed. The
electoral commission also announced the Island President elections
will be held June 10, with run-offs June 24 if necessary. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) President Sambi's new cabinet of the Government of the Union
of the Comoros (GOC) includes two Vice Presidents and 10 Ministers.
He kept all existing team members and added four new Ministers:

-- Mohamed ALI SOILIHI, Minister of Finance, Budget and Plan;

-- Mourad SAID IBRAHIM, Minister of Justice, Civil Service, Prison
Administration, and Government Reforms;

-- Houmadi ABDALLAH, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Industry;

-- Fouad Ben MOHADJI, Minister of Investment Promotion,
Micro-Finance, and Decentralized Cooperation. (Unlike the other
three new Ministers who take up existing portfolios, this is a new
Ministry).

Ministers HASSANI HAMADI (formerly Finance and Budget) and M'MADI
ALI (formerly Justice) took demotions to smaller, lower-profile
portfolios. Minister MHADJI remains busy with Land Reform,
Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, but has been moved
off of the Energy portfolio. At our earliest opportunity, Post will
pay courtesy calls on the new Ministers and report relevant
biographic information.

Island President Elections June 10
--------------


3. (U) The GOC officially announced the Island President elections
for Grand Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli would be held June 10, with
run-offs June 24 if necessary. To date, the National Independent
Electoral Commission (CENI) has received official registrations for
nine candidates from Anjouan, 22 from Grande Comore, and five from
Moheli.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: Given the breadth of portfolios in Sambi's first
cabinet, it is not too surprising he felt the need to expand his
team. Given an empty treasury, however, Post wonders how the Union
Government will pay the additional salaries and benefits. The
long-awaited Island President elections will be hotly contested
throughout the Comoros, especially in Anjouan, where Island
President Bacar is loathe to give up his advantageous position as
head of a little fiefdom. Sambi will be equally eager to rid
himself of the corrupt and obstinate Bacar who challenges the Union
President's authority. END COMMENT.

PATRICK