Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE288
2009-06-17 18:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

GABON: DYNAMICS OF OMAR BONGO'S FUNERAL

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL GB FR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000288 

C O R R E C T E D COPY - correcting text in paragraph two

SIPDIS

AF/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB FR
SUBJECT: GABON: DYNAMICS OF OMAR BONGO'S FUNERAL

REF: A. LIBREVILLE 00246

B. LIBREVILLE 00271

LIBREVILLE 00000288 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: PolOff Christopher Gunning for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000288

C O R R E C T E D COPY - correcting text in paragraph two

SIPDIS

AF/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB FR
SUBJECT: GABON: DYNAMICS OF OMAR BONGO'S FUNERAL

REF: A. LIBREVILLE 00246

B. LIBREVILLE 00271

LIBREVILLE 00000288 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: PolOff Christopher Gunning for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) President Omar Bongo's funeral was a solemn event
marked by the presence of fourteen African heads of state and
French President Sarkozy. In separate meetings with Interim
President Rose Rogombe and Defense Minister Ali Bongo, the
U.S. Presidential delegation emphasized the importance of
following the constitutional process for choosing Gabon's
next president and reaffirmed the support of the U.S. during
the transition period that lies ahead. While committing to
adhere to Gabon's constitution, both Ali Bongo and Rogombe
noted that the constitutionally-mandated 45 day period
required to organize an election is too short. Neither
offered a timeframe for a possible extension, but Ali Bongo
stressed that it should not be too long. Rogombe has
requested a timetable for the election from the Prime
Minister and expects that the Constitutional Court will play
a prominent role in a decision on an extension. End Summary.

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Gabon Leaders &Committed to the Constitution8
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2. (C) During former President Omar Bongo,s funeral
proceedings on June 16 the U.S. Presidential Delegation, led
by the Ambassador, had the opportunity for brief private,
side-meetings with Interim President Rose Rogombe and Ali Ben
Bongo, the Minister of Defense and eldest son of the former
president. The Ambassador, State AF PDAS Phillip Carter and
Michael Strautmanis, White House Chief of Staff to the
Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations,
emphasized to each of the Gabonese leaders the importance of
the constitutional process in determining Gabon's next
president and the friendly relationship the U.S. is committed
to maintaining with Gabon. Both Rogombe and Ali Bongo
expressed appreciation for the U.S. message and stressed
their commitment to the Gabonese constitution and the
democratic process. Also present in the Presidential Delegation

were Ms. Ertharin Cousin and Dr. Howard Wolpe.

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Election Timetable Rethought?
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3. (C) Both Ali Bongo and Rogombe noted that the
constitutionally-mandated 45 day period to organize a
presidential election is too short. Each suggested that an
extension might be necessary to allow for the 30 day mourning
period that began with Bongo's death on June 8. Although he
was careful not to mention a specific timeframe, Ali Bongo
was firm that the possible extenson of the 45-day period
should not be too long. Rogombe pointed out that there were
still unresolved issues from previous elections, including
voters lists and the use of biometrics. She noted that the
&force majeure8 clause in the constitution allows for
natural disasters, war, major civil unrest, and social
disorder to delay an election, adding that the Constitutional
Court would play a prominent role in considering a request to
extend the 45 day deadline to organize an election. The
Prime Minister was preparing a timetable for the President
that would clarify what factors would need to be considered
and the amount of time required to carry out the election.

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Funeral Dynamics
--------------


4. (C) Three eulogies were made during the ceremony. Ali Ben
Bongo,s speech noting his father,s accomplishments seemed
to hit the right notes of solemn reverence and respect and
resonated well with our Gabonese contacts. Rogombe,s eulogy
was brief and perfunctory. Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe
Ndong,s eulogy was respectful of the deceased President, but
subtly critical of the rest of the Gabonese government and
the French. His speech created a considerable buzz on the
streets of Libreville the following day.


5. (U) Fourteen active African heads of state attended the
funeral -- France, Benin, Burkina Faso, Republic of Congo,
Dem. Republic of Congo, Senegal, Mali, Chad, Burundi, Togo,
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equitorial Guinea, and
Sao Tome and Principe. Many former heads of state who
collaborated with President Bongo on peace initiatives were
also present, as were business leaders. Reconciliation
marked the solemn atmosphere; there was a notable moment when

LIBREVILLE 00000288 002.2 OF 002


current Malian President Toure gestured to former President
Konare as he paid his respects to Bongo. Konare joined Toure
to lay the wreath at the foot of the casket. French President
Sarkozy made a similarly fraternal gesture to former
President Jacques Chirac when it was his turn to lay a
wreath.


6. (U) The ceremony lasted several hours and was followed by
a military parade cut short to hasten the departure of the
remains and family before dark to Bongo's home province of
Haut Ogooue. The crowds along the parade and funeral cortege
route were orderly and subdued. The car bearing the remains
was cheered as it passed by the crowds. Sarkozy was
repeatedly greeted by jeers from the crowd, while Chirac was
generally very well-received.

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Comment
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7. (C) Bongo's funeral provided an enlightening glimpse of
Gabon's leadership and Bongo family dynamics. President
Rogombe appeared tired with the full weight of the transition
on her shoulders. During the U.S. delegation's encounter
with her, Rogombe only brightened when she raised with the
Ambassador her interest in discussing social issues with the
Ambassador after she leaves the Presidency. The feuding
within Bongo's family appeared to be resolved or least the
differences between Ali Bongo, sister Pascaline, and other
family members temporarily set aside for the ceremony.
Although Ali gave the eulogy on behalf of the family,
Pascaline was equally involved in managing the large number
of famuily members present. Less evident was the maneuvering
between the potential contenders for the presidency. With
the funeral marking the end of the Omar Bongo era, the
direction of Gabon's political future should become clearer,
particularly regarding the transitionn period and the
election process.
REDDICK