GABON: INTERIM PRESIDENT OPENS DISCUSSIONS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000302 SIPDIS AF/C FOR LISA KORTE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL GB SUBJECT: GABON: INTERIM PRESIDENT OPENS DISCUSSIONS ON ELECTION PROCESS Classified By: PolOff Christopher Guning for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Interim President Rose Rogombe announced June 20 that she would launch a dialogue and consultations with Gabon,s political and civic actors to reach consensus concerning the election of Gabon,s next President. Her consultations began three days later with the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Gabon (PDG),followed by a meeting on June 24 with the leaders of the opposition parties. She will meet with representatives of civil society ) religious leaders, unions and NGOs ) on June 26. While both ruling and opposition camps agree that it will be difficult to organize a transparent and credible election within the constitutionally-mandated 45 days since President Bongo,s death, differences are emerging on the length of time required to organize the election. End Summary. -------------- Consultations, Dialogue and Consensus -------------- ¶2. (U) To carry out her pledge to build consensus among Gabonese regarding the election of the next president, Interim President Rose Rogombe launched a dialogue this week with political and civil society leaders. At the meeting of the ruling PDG on June 23, PM Jean Eyeghe Ndong and new Interior Minister Jean Francis Ndongou joined Rogombe on the dais. The participants included former opponents of President Bongo and leaders of the PDG coalition partners ) Paul Mba Abessole (Gabon Vice Premier and RPG leader),Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge (Gabon Vice President and ADERE leader), Jean-Boniface Assele (CLR),Perre Claver Zeng Ebome (MAD), and Louis-Gaston Mayila (UPNR). On June 24 Rogombe met with leaders of the opposition, including UGDD president Zachaie Myboto and UPG President Pierre Mamboundou. ¶3. (U) Following the meetings, the participants spoke to the media. Their statements and the commentary in the government and non-government press are pointing to positions that are likely to define the process ahead. Party leaders from both sides of the aisle acknowledged that it would be difficult to organize a credible election within the constitutionally-mandated 45 day period following the death of President Bongo. The leaders noted that the Constitution stipulates several actions must be completed 45 days in advance of the election, including the final voters list, the list of candidates, and the selection of local election commissions. Funding concerns were mentioned; a presidential election will be expensive and has not been budgeted. There was agreement that the Constitutional Court must determine that a case of &force majeur8 requires an extension of the 45 day period before a decision can be made on the length of the extension. -------------- -------------- How Long of an Extension to Prepare for the Election? -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Different positions emerged, however, on the time required to organize an election. PDG leaders expressed a preference for a shorter extension, as close as possible to the time frame envisioned in the Constitution. Some opposition party leaders suggested a five to six month period to prepare for the election. The issue of developing biometrics prior to the election has become one of the key concerns of some politicos. ¶5. (U) Rogombe will meet June 26 with representatives of the Catholic, Evangelic, and Pentecostal Churches, the Muslim community, unions and civil society. Interestingly, well-known environmental and social activist Marc Ona and several of his colleagues have been invited to the meeting. At a June 25 press conference, Ona demanded that the interim president ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) President Rogombe, who appeared reticent in her initial appearances as president, has gained approval for her deliberate approach to the transition. Her insistence on a constitutional process based on consultations and consensus has laid the foundation for discussion ) both public and behind the scenes. It has not been lost on observers that among the ruling and opposition party leaders that LIBREVILLE 00000302 002 OF 002 participated in the consultations are possible candidates for the presidency. Opposition candidates will need time to build up the financial resources and campaign networks. There are speculations that the PDG leaders believe they will be in a stronger position to run an effective campaign based on party funds and manpower on a shorter time frame. A key complicating factor will be who is in contention from the PDG and how the ruling party sorts out the contenders. End Comment. REDDICK