Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE109
2009-03-18 12:05:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

GABON STEPS UP SECURITY IN RESPONSE TO EXTERNAL

Tags:  PREL PINR GB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0109 0771205
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 181205Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0996
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0469
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 1528
RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 1083
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0991
S E C R E T LIBREVILLE 000109 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

AF/C PLEASE PASS MALABO AND BRAZZAVILLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR GB
SUBJECT: GABON STEPS UP SECURITY IN RESPONSE TO EXTERNAL
THREAT

REF: A. STATE 20357

B. LIBREVILLE 0104

Classified By: DCM Nathan Holt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T LIBREVILLE 000109

NOFORN
SIPDIS

AF/C PLEASE PASS MALABO AND BRAZZAVILLE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR GB
SUBJECT: GABON STEPS UP SECURITY IN RESPONSE TO EXTERNAL
THREAT

REF: A. STATE 20357

B. LIBREVILLE 0104

Classified By: DCM Nathan Holt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) The Gabonese Ministry of Defense issued a communique
March 16 stating that it was stepping up patrols in
Libreville and cities in the interior of Gabon in response to
"corroborated information" about a potential attack by an
"identified armed group." A translation of the communique
follows in paragraph 5.


2. (U) The warning coincides with the death of First Lady
Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba, who is both the wife of Gabon's
President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba and the daughter of
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) President Denis
Sassou-Nguesso. Both presidents were expected to arrive in
Libreville March 18, along with the body of Mrs. Bongo. The
Gabonese first lady died in Rabat, Morocco March 13 after a
long illness (Ref. A).


3. (S/NF) Post initially observed an increase in security
measures in the days before Mrs. Bongo's death. On March 5,
Post provided appropriate Gabonese authorities with sensitive
tearline information about potential planning for an attack
by Niger Delta militants (Ref. B). The Gabonese expressed
keen interest and said they would follow up with other
sources, presumably including the French--with whom Gabon has
a close intel relationship. We do not know what other
information may be available to the Gabonese. In previous
instances where we shared similar information, Gabonese
authorities stepped up maritime patrols and implemented other
security measures. This is, however, the first time such
measures have been publicly acknowledged or connected to an
external armed group.


4. (C) More generally, Gabonese authorities have expressed
growing concern about what they see as increasing insecurity
in the Gulf of Guinea. The February 2009 attack on Malabo,
mentioned in the communque, has been a source of particular
concern.


5. (U) Translated text of the communique follows:

Begin Text

For some time now, acts of violence have been perpetrated in
the countries of the sub-region by an identified armed group.
Corroborated information has pointed to the preparation of
an attack against our country, following that against the
sister republic of Equatorial Guinea a few days ago.

In order to prevent all kinds of threats capable of injuring
the security of persons and things, mobile and fixed military
patrols have been deployed through the city of Libreville and
cities in the interior of the country, in order to verify the
identity of persons and vehicles.

The Defense Forces dedicated to this mission have received
instructions to accomplish this mission, while at the same
time they have received an order to carry out this operation
with courtesy and discipline, with strict respect for the
freedom of circulation of the population.

End Text
REDDICK