Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DAKAR1900
2007-09-19 17:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dakar
Cable title:
GUINEA BISSAU:PM FEARS PERSONAL SECURITY
how-toVZCZCXRO2277 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHDK #1900 2621700 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 191700Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9226 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0259 RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE 0976 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0813 RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0435 RUEHTO/AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 0476 RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0723
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 001900
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR POL D'ELIA AND DEA HOUSTON
LAGOS FOR DEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU:PM FEARS PERSONAL SECURITY
Classified By: Charge Jay T. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
NOT A NORMAL CHANGING OF THE GUARD
-----------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 001900
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR POL D'ELIA AND DEA HOUSTON
LAGOS FOR DEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU:PM FEARS PERSONAL SECURITY
Classified By: Charge Jay T. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
NOT A NORMAL CHANGING OF THE GUARD
--------------
1. (U) Tensions in Bissau led the Prime Minister to change
his security detail on September 15. Members of the Public
Order Police were removed from duty and replaced by AK-47
wielding soldiers. The number of men in his detail was
doubled and he was given two escort vehicles. President Joao
Bernardo "Nino" Vieira is out of the country.
2. (U) Leading up to the change in guard was a peaceful
protest of youth in support of beleaguered Interior Minister
Baciro Dabo. Dabo allegedly paid youth for the demonstration
as a means of holding onto his job, which is in jeopardy.
The Party of Social Renovation (PRS),which initially
supported his nomination to the post, has reversed course and
is now actively lobbying the government for his ouster.
3. (U) Police and military have a historical animosity in
Guinea-Bissau which occasionally erupts in violence. At a
nightclub Sunday night in the Barrio Militar an altercation
ended with a police officer being severely beaten and
hospitalized.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) It is not clear if Dabo has designs on destabilizing
the country, but with his alleged ties to drug traffickers
and his thuggish approach to politics, he bears watching.
The country remains calm and markets are open but radio
commentators are voicing concerns over instability. At least
for now, the armed forces seem to be a capable and interested
in preserving order and protecting the political leadership.
Visit Embassy Dakar's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/af/dakar.
SMITH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, INR/AA
ACCRA FOR USAID/WA
PARIS FOR POL D'ELIA AND DEA HOUSTON
LAGOS FOR DEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV PU
SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU:PM FEARS PERSONAL SECURITY
Classified By: Charge Jay T. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
NOT A NORMAL CHANGING OF THE GUARD
--------------
1. (U) Tensions in Bissau led the Prime Minister to change
his security detail on September 15. Members of the Public
Order Police were removed from duty and replaced by AK-47
wielding soldiers. The number of men in his detail was
doubled and he was given two escort vehicles. President Joao
Bernardo "Nino" Vieira is out of the country.
2. (U) Leading up to the change in guard was a peaceful
protest of youth in support of beleaguered Interior Minister
Baciro Dabo. Dabo allegedly paid youth for the demonstration
as a means of holding onto his job, which is in jeopardy.
The Party of Social Renovation (PRS),which initially
supported his nomination to the post, has reversed course and
is now actively lobbying the government for his ouster.
3. (U) Police and military have a historical animosity in
Guinea-Bissau which occasionally erupts in violence. At a
nightclub Sunday night in the Barrio Militar an altercation
ended with a police officer being severely beaten and
hospitalized.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) It is not clear if Dabo has designs on destabilizing
the country, but with his alleged ties to drug traffickers
and his thuggish approach to politics, he bears watching.
The country remains calm and markets are open but radio
commentators are voicing concerns over instability. At least
for now, the armed forces seem to be a capable and interested
in preserving order and protecting the political leadership.
Visit Embassy Dakar's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/af/dakar.
SMITH