GABON THE DAY AFTER: LIBREVILLE QUIET, SUCCESSION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000276

SIPDIS

AF/C FOR LISA KORTE
AFRICOM FOR J00, J01, J2, J5

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL GB FR SP TP
SUBJECT: GABON THE DAY AFTER: LIBREVILLE QUIET, SUCCESSION
PROCESS BEGINS

REF: GABON 00271

LIBREVILLE 00000276 001.4 OF 002


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Summary
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1. (U) The post-Omar Bongo era has begun. Prime Minister
Eyeghe Ndong returned to Libreville from Barcelona to push
along the constitutionally-mandated succession process.
Following the articles of succession in the constitution, the
Council of Ministers unanimously voted to refer the question
of vacancy in the Presidency to the Constitutional Court.
Defense Minister Ali Ben Bongo remains in poor health, but
involved in &cabinet-level8 meetings. Libreville is calm,
with many Gabonese deciding to stay at home. The airport is
open, and no curfew is in effect. End Summary.

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Constitutional Succession Process Begun
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2. (U) Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong returned from
Barcelona today and has taken ad-hoc leadership of the
government. The Prime Minister launched the
constitutionally-mandated succession process by convening the
Council of Ministers. In the afternoon the Ministers of
Gabon, lead by the Prime Minister, unanimously voted to refer
the issue of succession to the Constitutional Court. There
have been multiple statements supporting the rule of law and
constitution. Defense Minister Ali Ben Bongo, Minister of
Communication Laure Olga Gondjaut, and Minister of the
Interior Andre Mba Obame all made statements in public
support of the constitution. During a local TV report on
the Council of Ministers meeting, the narrator noted that
Gabon was the &political exception in a region of violence8
and the country,s laws would be respected.


3. (U) The Constitutional Court is expected to declare the
Presidency vacant, which will officially transfer limited
powers of the Presidency to the President of the Senate, Rose
Francine Rogombe. Rogombe then has up to 45 days to organize
an election to fill the Presidency. The Court has
deliberated questions concerning previous legislative and
presidential election results.


4. (U) Defense Minster Ali Ben Bongo, who is also the son of
deceased President Omar Bongo, is in Libreville. However,
his level of political activity has been subdued over the
last month due to an unspecified intestinal illness. Ali Ben
Bongo did appear on Gabonese TV in the evening of June 8 to
call for calm and reiterate that the borders were closed and
the military was on alert. Ali Ben Bongo looked ill and to
have lost weight in his recent television appearances.


5. (U) Cabinet Secretary Pascaline Bongo, daughter of the
deceased president, remains in Barcelona. Family members are
expected to return to Libreville with the President's body on
June 12.

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The Funeral
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6. (U) The Embassy received a Dipnote on June 9 regarding the
funeral arrangements. The Government of Gabon announced that
the funeral will occur on June 16. They have requested that
delegations be limited to 15 people and that the delegations
arrive and depart the day of the funeral.

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Security Situation is Stable
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7. (U) Libreville is calm as the city respects the first day
of a 30-day mourning period. There is a slight increase in
police and para-military gendarmerie on the streets. There
are no reported protests or political gatherings.


8. (U) There is no curfew in Gabon, despite rumors on June 8.
Many local residents chose to stay home today. Public and
most private schools were open. However, due to a
contuinuing pay dispute between the government and teachers,
there were no teachers available (and it is unlikely there
would have been even without the death of President Bongo).


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9. (U) The government of nearby Sao Tome and Principe
announced a 3-day mourning period. There is no change to
daily life.

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Cross-Border Traffic Resumes
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10. (U) Embassy Contacts in the Gabonese Department for
Customs and Immigration tell us that the borders and airport
have reopened. Officials with Air France and Gabon Airlines
say they expect to resume normal operations by June 10.

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Comment
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11. (U) The question of "who's in charge" has been answered
for the time being with the return of the Prime Minister and
other cabinet-level officials. Much effort appears to have
been made to demonstrate that Gabon is still functioning, and
that a constitutional process is underway and being respected
by major players in Gabon's political scene.
REDDICK