Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07YAOUNDE1315
2007-11-06 06:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:
CAMEROON: COUP JITTERS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 001315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND INL/C
EUCOM FOR J5-1 AND POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2017
TAGS: CM KCOR MOPS PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: COUP JITTERS
REF: YAOUNDE 1235 (NOTAL)
Classified By: PolChief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 001315
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND INL/C
EUCOM FOR J5-1 AND POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2017
TAGS: CM KCOR MOPS PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: COUP JITTERS
REF: YAOUNDE 1235 (NOTAL)
Classified By: PolChief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
1. (C) Summary. In an October 30 meeting with the
Ambassador, the Dutch and British Chiefs of Mission said they
would report to their capitals the allegations of a coup
attempt or staged coup attempt in Cameroon. The source of
this information is of questionable reliability and coup
rumors are nothing new here. While we do not have
information to suggest an impending coup, we are struck by
the level of concern among our diplomatic colleagues and will
monitor the situation carefully. Summary.
--------------
Dutch, UK, Italians Report Coup Rumblings
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Garvey met October 30 with the COMs from
the Dutch, Italian and British Embassies, at the request of
the Dutch COM, to discuss rumors of a coup or concocted coup
planned for the week of October 22. The source of the
information is French/Cameroonian citizen Francis Dooh
Collins, Minister of Justice Amadou Ali's point person for
international corruption investigations (reftel).
3. (C) The Dutch COM reported Dooh Collins as saying that
the concocted coup attempt was an effort by those who oppose
Ali (and are targeted by his corruption investigation) to
"smoke out" Ali and his allies. This anti-Ali group is
reportedly led by Minister of Defense Remy Ze Meka.
4. (C) The Dutch COM gives credence to Collins' story for
the following reasons:
-- The Dutch COM said that 30 individuals from the northern
provinces have been detained in response to the reports of a
coup/concocted coup plot. (Note: We have no information to
confirm this. End note.)
-- The Dutch COM said that before departing Yaounde for
Paris (on October 22) Biya consulted with the Israeli Colonel
who serves as his security advisor and trains the
Presidential Guard. The Colonel reportedly advised Biya that
it was safe to travel.
-- The Dutch COM claimed to have tested Dooh Collins with
questions which Dooh Collins could have answered only if he
was close to Biya and Ali. Collins reportedly answered
correctly.
--------------
Other Machinations
--------------
5. (C) The Dutch and British COMs averred that Ali's
anti-corruption investigation has been turned into an effort
to weaken President Biya's political enemies in the run-up to
presidential elections anticipated in 2011. The Dutch COM
anticipates another Cabinet shuffle in March 2008, in which
PM Inoni will be replaced by current A/SG at the Presidency
Philomen Yang, and then a subsequent shuffle. Secretary
General at the Presidency Laurent Esso is also reportedly
involved in this power struggle. The Dutch COM said Esso's
ill-gotten wealth derives from a relationship he has with
French oil firm Total.
--------------
The French Disconnection
--------------
6. (C) Dutch and UK COMs asserted that the French Embassy
must be kept out of the loop on the Collins information,
ostensibly because of French commercial ties to some of the
alleged protagonists. The Dutch and British Embassies here
will include special handling instructions on their reports
to their capitals to indicate the information should not be
shared with French nationals.
--------------
Comment
--------------
7. (C) This particular information comes from one source,
Dooh Collins, whom we know to be of less than certain
credibility. Nevertheless, our colleagues in other Missions
are taking this information seriously, and we have heard
other rumors of coup plotting over the November 3-4 weekend.
Coup rumors are not uncommon in Cameroon and we have no
information to suggest a coup is in the works. We would not
be surprised, however, if there is some rumbling in the
political background here. Biya survived an attempted coup
in 1984 (that affected him deeply) and coup plotting in 1989
(that resulted in a cabinet shuffle to beef up the security
forces). The President's September 7 shuffle dismissed a
number of powerful and rich individuals who are unlikely to
seek quiet retirement. The anniversary of Biya's
twenty-fifth year in power on November 6 has fueled renewed
cynicism in the media and in the general public. We will
continue to monitor the political scene carefully over the
coming days. End comment.
GARVEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/C AND INL/C
EUCOM FOR J5-1 AND POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2017
TAGS: CM KCOR MOPS PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: COUP JITTERS
REF: YAOUNDE 1235 (NOTAL)
Classified By: PolChief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
1. (C) Summary. In an October 30 meeting with the
Ambassador, the Dutch and British Chiefs of Mission said they
would report to their capitals the allegations of a coup
attempt or staged coup attempt in Cameroon. The source of
this information is of questionable reliability and coup
rumors are nothing new here. While we do not have
information to suggest an impending coup, we are struck by
the level of concern among our diplomatic colleagues and will
monitor the situation carefully. Summary.
--------------
Dutch, UK, Italians Report Coup Rumblings
--------------
2. (C) Ambassador Garvey met October 30 with the COMs from
the Dutch, Italian and British Embassies, at the request of
the Dutch COM, to discuss rumors of a coup or concocted coup
planned for the week of October 22. The source of the
information is French/Cameroonian citizen Francis Dooh
Collins, Minister of Justice Amadou Ali's point person for
international corruption investigations (reftel).
3. (C) The Dutch COM reported Dooh Collins as saying that
the concocted coup attempt was an effort by those who oppose
Ali (and are targeted by his corruption investigation) to
"smoke out" Ali and his allies. This anti-Ali group is
reportedly led by Minister of Defense Remy Ze Meka.
4. (C) The Dutch COM gives credence to Collins' story for
the following reasons:
-- The Dutch COM said that 30 individuals from the northern
provinces have been detained in response to the reports of a
coup/concocted coup plot. (Note: We have no information to
confirm this. End note.)
-- The Dutch COM said that before departing Yaounde for
Paris (on October 22) Biya consulted with the Israeli Colonel
who serves as his security advisor and trains the
Presidential Guard. The Colonel reportedly advised Biya that
it was safe to travel.
-- The Dutch COM claimed to have tested Dooh Collins with
questions which Dooh Collins could have answered only if he
was close to Biya and Ali. Collins reportedly answered
correctly.
--------------
Other Machinations
--------------
5. (C) The Dutch and British COMs averred that Ali's
anti-corruption investigation has been turned into an effort
to weaken President Biya's political enemies in the run-up to
presidential elections anticipated in 2011. The Dutch COM
anticipates another Cabinet shuffle in March 2008, in which
PM Inoni will be replaced by current A/SG at the Presidency
Philomen Yang, and then a subsequent shuffle. Secretary
General at the Presidency Laurent Esso is also reportedly
involved in this power struggle. The Dutch COM said Esso's
ill-gotten wealth derives from a relationship he has with
French oil firm Total.
--------------
The French Disconnection
--------------
6. (C) Dutch and UK COMs asserted that the French Embassy
must be kept out of the loop on the Collins information,
ostensibly because of French commercial ties to some of the
alleged protagonists. The Dutch and British Embassies here
will include special handling instructions on their reports
to their capitals to indicate the information should not be
shared with French nationals.
--------------
Comment
--------------
7. (C) This particular information comes from one source,
Dooh Collins, whom we know to be of less than certain
credibility. Nevertheless, our colleagues in other Missions
are taking this information seriously, and we have heard
other rumors of coup plotting over the November 3-4 weekend.
Coup rumors are not uncommon in Cameroon and we have no
information to suggest a coup is in the works. We would not
be surprised, however, if there is some rumbling in the
political background here. Biya survived an attempted coup
in 1984 (that affected him deeply) and coup plotting in 1989
(that resulted in a cabinet shuffle to beef up the security
forces). The President's September 7 shuffle dismissed a
number of powerful and rich individuals who are unlikely to
seek quiet retirement. The anniversary of Biya's
twenty-fifth year in power on November 6 has fueled renewed
cynicism in the media and in the general public. We will
continue to monitor the political scene carefully over the
coming days. End comment.
GARVEY