CHAD: PRIME MINISTER YOADIMNADJI DIES; KASSIRE

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000195 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CD SUBJECT: CHAD: PRIME MINISTER YOADIMNADJI DIES; KASSIRE NAMED ¶1. (SBU) President Deby selected Dr. Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye to replace Prime Minister Yoadimnadji who died in Paris on February 24. Kassire previously served as Prime Minister from 1993-1995. Kassire is a southern Muslim with ties to some of Chad,s northern ethnic groups. -------------- Biographic Background -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Delwa Kassire Koumakoye was first tapped by Deby to serve as Prime Minister in the early 1990s and now, after the death of Pascal Yoadimnadji 24 February, once again. He was the head of the opposition National Rally for Development and Progress (RNDP) party and ran against Deby in the 2006 presidential elections. After his first stint as Prime Minister, he went into business but continued to be involved in Chadian politics on the margins. He has also held many official positions including, Chief of Administration, Economic and Financial Affairs; Cabinet Director Presidency; Controller General of Finances for the Republic; Minister of Justice; Director General of the Chadian Water and Electric Company; Minister of Public Works; Minister of Post and Telecommunications; and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Reportedly, Kassire is a devout Muslim who has worked closely with Muslim religious and community leaders on mosque construction and programs. Kassire has a reputation for using his Islamic credentials to further his own political ambitions. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A classic insider, Kassire is viewed as an opportunistic "windbag." His impact is expected to be relatively minor, short-lived, and reliant on the whims of Deby. Kassire,s run at the Presidency in 2006 was not considered a serious candidacy; rather he may have done it to oblige the President and provide a facade of choice in the elections. As it stands, Kassire,s appointment hews closely to Chadian script ) appointing a lightweight prime minister who is part of the "old guard" in order to maintain a north/south "balance" and the status quo. WALL