BENIN DELEGATION TO AU SUMMIT

UNCLAS COTONOU 000362

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/W DANA BANKS
LONDON FOR PETER LORD
PARIS FOR BOB KANEDA

E.O.12958:N/A
TAGS: KSUM OVIP XA PGOV PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN DELEGATION TO AU SUMMIT

REF: STATE 066841



1. Post delivered the referenced demarche by Diplomatic Note on
June 24, 2008. The Special Adviser on Diplomatic Affairs to the
Benin Head of State, Mariam Alhaji Boni Diallo advised Post that
President Boni Yayi would lead the Benin delegation to the African
Union Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, June 30 and July 1, 2008. She said
that the delegation would include the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
African Integration, Francophonie, and the Benisese Diaspora, Moussa
Okanla; the Minister of Mines, Energy, and Water, Mr. Sacca Lafia;
the Benin Ambassador to the African Union, Mr. Edouard Aho-Glele;
the Director of African Integration, Mr. Seraphin Lissassi; and
herself.


2. Ms. Diallo did not give details on the dates of arrival and
departure of the delegation in and from Sharm el-Sheikh. However,
Minister Okanla's cabinet informed post that Mr. Okanla and Mr.
Lissassi are already in Egypt. The point of contact of the
delegation is Ambassador Edouard Aho-Glele and his contacts are:
land telephone: 011251-113-728-730; and cell phone:
011251-912-121-569.

BROWN