Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BUJUMBURA290
2007-04-17 15:57:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Bujumbura
Cable title:  

BURUNDI'S PRESIDENT DISMISSES HIGH-LEVEL

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL BY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJB #0290 1071557
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 171557Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0233
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
S E C R E T BUJUMBURA 000290 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/04/17
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI'S PRESIDENT DISMISSES HIGH-LEVEL
INTELLIGENCE SERVICE OFFICIALS

REF: 06 BUJUMBURA 669

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

S E C R E T BUJUMBURA 000290

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/04/17
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI'S PRESIDENT DISMISSES HIGH-LEVEL
INTELLIGENCE SERVICE OFFICIALS

REF: 06 BUJUMBURA 669

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (U) President Pierre Nkurunziza, on April 12, replaced
three high-ranking members of Burundi,s national
intelligence service, the Securite National de Renseignments
(SNR),including the Deputy General Manager and the Chief of
Staff. The former principal advisor to the President,
Zacharie Sagaga, took over as Deputy Chief from Colonel
Leonidas Kiziba. Gervais Ndirakobuca, a former commandant in
the armed forces, was installed as the new Chief of Staff
following the dismissal of Colonel Jean-Bosco Ngendanganya.
President Nkurunziza also named Leonard Ngendakumana to the
post of Director for Interior Affairs for the SNR, popularly
known as "Documentation". Adolphe Nshimirimana, the Chief of
the SNR, remains in the top position.


2. (U) The replacement of Col. Kiziba comes as a surprise
to many political observers as he is widely viewed as an
intelligent, capable and communicative official. Although
Sagaga is seen as open-minded and well versed on police
issues, he is considered young, inexperienced and may be more
reluctant than his predecessor to speak candidly. The new
Chief of Staff, Ndirakobuca, is a CNDD-FDD member originally
from Ngozi, the home of President Nkurunziza.


3. (S/NF) Comment: In August 2006, former SNR Deputy Chief
Col. Kiziba (strictly protect) met confidentially with an
embassy representative (reftel.) to express his belief that
government reports of a coup attempt were completely
fabricated, also implying the weakness of the case files
against the plotters. During the same conversation, Kiziba
confirmed reports of torture inflicted against the coup plot
detainees. At the time, Kiziba repeatedly requested the
strictest confidentiality for fear that his own life would be
in jeopardy due to his concerns.


4. (S/NF) Notwithstanding his comments and candor, many
believe that both Kiziba and former Chief of Staff
Ngendanganya played key roles in the arrest, detention and
torture of the suspected coup-plotters and journalists.
Ngendanganya is reported to have been very pro-active in the
prosecution of the detainees, such as fabricating evidence
and attempting to add witnesses. The upheaval within the
Documentation may demonstrate President Nkurunziza,s desire
to address the injustices committed against several
high-profile figures in 2006. Moreover, SNR chief
Nshimirimana is a key ally of President Nkurunziza. The
addition of Sagaga and Ndirakobuca would seem to bolster the
President,s control over the future direction and actions of
his national security service. End Comment.
MOLLER