GABON: ALI BONGO TRAVELS REGIONALLY, DEALS WITH LOCAL

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000471


DEPT FOR AF/C LISA KORTE; INR/B

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL GB
SUBJECT: GABON: ALI BONGO TRAVELS REGIONALLY, DEALS WITH LOCAL
PROBLEMS

REF: 09 LIBREVILLE 00467


1. SUMMARY. President Ali Bongo Ondimba wasted no time after his
inauguration to travel regionally in an effort to establish his
credentials outside of Gabon. President Bongo travelled to the
Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic
Republic of the Congo where he met with senior governmental leaders.
Prior to departing Gabon, President Bongo declared his intention to
hold the council of ministers meeting in various cities throughout
Gabon, starting with Port Gentil, in order for the government to
better understand issues outside of Libreville. Also domestically,
former Interim President Rose Rogombe was formally re-invested with
her seat as President of the Senate. Despite the recent activity on
the international front, President Bongo's regional credentials and
leadership remain uncertain. His efforts to ease tension in Port
Gentil, a central location for anti-Ali Bongo sentiment, remains
similarly up in the air. END SUMMARY.

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Ali Travels to CAR, EG, and DRC
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2. In his first official travel beyond Gabon's borders, President
Ali Bongo Ondimba visited Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) on
October 21 to meet with President Francois Bozize, and later that
day met with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Bata,
Equatorial Guinea (EG). On October 24 President Bongo traveled to
Kinshasa, DRC to meet with Joseph Kabila and attend the 14th CEEAC
Presidential Conference. In addition to discussing bilateral issues
with each head of state, President Bongo likely reviewed regional
conflict and economic issues, including the theft of funds at the
Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the appointment of a new
BEAC Governor (reftel).


3. President Bongo's visit to EG was closely watched in Gabon for
signs that several sensitive issues might be addressed. There were
rumors throughout the election campaign period that the EG
president, government, or unnamed other individuals supported
opposition Fang ethnic group candidates in Gabon, namely Andre Mba
Obame, a former close associate of President Bongo. Also, President
Bongo has been reputed to be the stumbling block on the Gabonese
side to resolving the dispute with EG over ownership of Mbanie
Islands and their potentially rich off-shore oil fields. Although
Gabon has controlled the position of governor of BEAC, EG has
surpassed Gabon as the largest depositor in the bank. Gabon's
retention of the governor position and the investigation of the BEAC
scandal will require the cooperation of presidents Obiang Nguema,
Bozize and the other regional heads of state. (Note: The next
meeting of the BEAC heads of state will take place in Bangui in
November. End Note.)


4. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are being criticized by other members
of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) for
lack of effort regarding economic integration. CEMAC, which
regulates the CFA currency in use by the member nations, has a
growing interest in free trade and open borders across the 6
countries.


5. As for Gabon-CAR relations, it remains to be seen whether
President Bongo will take on the role that his father played in
facilitating contacts between Bozize's government and CAR rebel
factions, and also support Gabon's continuing role as the backbone
of the Central African peace-building mission in CAR (MICOPAX). In
his inauguration speech, Bongo stated that he would ensure his
actions contributed to regional peace and security, and his
subsequent speedy firing of the Gabonese governor of BEAC
demonstrated firm action against corruption.


6. While in the Democratic Republic of the Congo local Gabonese
media widely reported that President Bongo kept issues dealing with
the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) at the
forefront. The administration of CEEAC, including overall budget
and human resources, was reported as President Bongo's primary
talking points with President Kabila at the 14th CEEAC Presidential
Summit.

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A New Direction For Port Gentil?
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7. The dusk to dawn curfew that was imposed September 03 in Port
Gentil, Gabon's commercial has been reduced to midnight to six.
Port Gentil was the scene of rioting, vandalism and several deaths
(three according to government reports; nine according to observers)
following the announcement of Ali Bongo as the winner of the
presidential election. To demonstrate his government's interest in
Gabon beyond Libreville, the Council of Ministers declared its
intention to hold its next meeting in Port Gentil and future
meetings in other Gabonese cities.

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Former Interim President Rogombe Returns To Senate
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8. Four months after assuming the Presidency according to the
constitutional succession, Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe
was reinstated as President of the Senate on October 20. She was
praised by the Senate Vice President for her handling of the
transition following the death of President Omar Bongo on June 10,
including the one month mourning period followed by the preparations
for the August 30 election. Appearing more at ease than in recent
weeks, Rogombe greeted senate colleagues and well-wishers with
Constitutional Court Madeleine Mbarantsuo and several newly
appointed ministers at her side.


REDDICK