Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE56
2009-02-12 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: COUP PLOT FOILED?
how-toVZCZCXRO0431 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLC #0056/01 0431603 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121603Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0904 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON 0674 RUEHPC/AMEMBASSY LOME 4062 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0992
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000056
SIPDIS
PARIS, LONDON AND LISBON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC GB TP
SUBJECT: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: COUP PLOT FOILED?
REF: LIBREVILLE 0325
Classified By: Poloff Leslie Doumbia for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000056
SIPDIS
PARIS, LONDON AND LISBON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC GB TP
SUBJECT: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: COUP PLOT FOILED?
REF: LIBREVILLE 0325
Classified By: Poloff Leslie Doumbia for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) According to information trickling out of Sao Tome and
Principe (STP),security forces thwarted a suspected coup
plot by arresting several suspects on the evening of February
11. Information is sketchy, but initial reports indicate
that the former paramilitary group known as the Buffalos was
targeted in the arrests. Security forces were also deployed
around the presidential palace, closing some streets. The
Buffalos, who are also the prime backers of the Christian
Democratic Front (FDC) political party, were responsible for
the week-long, bloodless attempted coup that rocked the small
island country in July 2003. There has been no official
confirmation of the arrests and no reports of any violence or
casualties. Business in the city for the most part continues
as usual. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NOT THIS TIME
--------------
2. (C) According to available information, STP security
forces launched a coordinated pre-emptive strike against the
Buffalos on the evening of February 11. Armed soldiers and
police reportedly surrounded the home of the leader of the
group, Alercio Costa, where they apprehended 16 of the 21
known suspects and seized knives and machetes. Sources say
that the coordinated action came following rumors of a coup,
and possible assassination attempt, against President de
Menezes and Prime Minister Rafael Branco. The President
allegedly called a meeting of the Commanders of the Police,
Presidential Guard and Defense Ministry earlier in the day to
plan the joint operation. Costa has denied the accusations
against him and his supporters.
3. (C) The Buffalos, a former paramilitary group of Sao
Tomean soldiers trained by the South African military for
service during the Angolan civil war, were responsible for
the week-long, bloodless coup that rocked the small island
country in July 2003. The Buffalos then claimed to be
protesting the dire conditions in the army. Bowing to
international pressure, the Buffalos ceded power back to the
democratically elected president, de Menezes, after only a
week. The Buffalos were granted amnesty for their
involvement in the coup and have since formed a political
party, the Christian Democratic Front (FDC). The group has
also reportedly been "bought off" with grants of land and
other benefits. In any case, the Buffalos now own property,
a casino and a store. Some observers say these resources may
have helped finance the latest exploits. An embassy employee
in Sao Tome also says he has credible eyewitness reports of
Buffalos providing some kind of paramilitary training to
young recruits.
--------------
BUSINESS AS USUAL...ALMOST
--------------
4. (C) There has so far been no official confirmation of the
arrests, and no reports of any casualties. For the most
part, business proceeded as usual in Sao Tome on February 12.
An embassy local employee tells us that many people on the
street are not aware of the situation. The streets
surrounding the presidential palace have been closed since
the evening of February 11, however, with armed soldiers
patrolling the area. Sao Tome's State Council also called an
emergency meeting with the President for February 12 to
discuss the situation further. Upon receipt of clearance
from Washington, the Embassy will distribute a warden message
urging American citizens to exercise caution and listen to
radio reports.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) This incident, which appears at this time to be
contained, ends a period of relative political stability that
Sao Tome has experienced since the June 2008 formation of
Prime Minister Branco's government (reftel) and a series of
police mutinies beginning in late 2007. Prime Minister
Branco's government was formed after a month of political
LIBREVILLE 00000056 002.2 OF 002
crisis, and following the collapse of his predecessor's
three-month government. He, and president de Menezes, now
face another crisis that will test the development of this
fragile democracy.
REDDICK
SIPDIS
PARIS, LONDON AND LISBON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CASC GB TP
SUBJECT: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: COUP PLOT FOILED?
REF: LIBREVILLE 0325
Classified By: Poloff Leslie Doumbia for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) According to information trickling out of Sao Tome and
Principe (STP),security forces thwarted a suspected coup
plot by arresting several suspects on the evening of February
11. Information is sketchy, but initial reports indicate
that the former paramilitary group known as the Buffalos was
targeted in the arrests. Security forces were also deployed
around the presidential palace, closing some streets. The
Buffalos, who are also the prime backers of the Christian
Democratic Front (FDC) political party, were responsible for
the week-long, bloodless attempted coup that rocked the small
island country in July 2003. There has been no official
confirmation of the arrests and no reports of any violence or
casualties. Business in the city for the most part continues
as usual. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NOT THIS TIME
--------------
2. (C) According to available information, STP security
forces launched a coordinated pre-emptive strike against the
Buffalos on the evening of February 11. Armed soldiers and
police reportedly surrounded the home of the leader of the
group, Alercio Costa, where they apprehended 16 of the 21
known suspects and seized knives and machetes. Sources say
that the coordinated action came following rumors of a coup,
and possible assassination attempt, against President de
Menezes and Prime Minister Rafael Branco. The President
allegedly called a meeting of the Commanders of the Police,
Presidential Guard and Defense Ministry earlier in the day to
plan the joint operation. Costa has denied the accusations
against him and his supporters.
3. (C) The Buffalos, a former paramilitary group of Sao
Tomean soldiers trained by the South African military for
service during the Angolan civil war, were responsible for
the week-long, bloodless coup that rocked the small island
country in July 2003. The Buffalos then claimed to be
protesting the dire conditions in the army. Bowing to
international pressure, the Buffalos ceded power back to the
democratically elected president, de Menezes, after only a
week. The Buffalos were granted amnesty for their
involvement in the coup and have since formed a political
party, the Christian Democratic Front (FDC). The group has
also reportedly been "bought off" with grants of land and
other benefits. In any case, the Buffalos now own property,
a casino and a store. Some observers say these resources may
have helped finance the latest exploits. An embassy employee
in Sao Tome also says he has credible eyewitness reports of
Buffalos providing some kind of paramilitary training to
young recruits.
--------------
BUSINESS AS USUAL...ALMOST
--------------
4. (C) There has so far been no official confirmation of the
arrests, and no reports of any casualties. For the most
part, business proceeded as usual in Sao Tome on February 12.
An embassy local employee tells us that many people on the
street are not aware of the situation. The streets
surrounding the presidential palace have been closed since
the evening of February 11, however, with armed soldiers
patrolling the area. Sao Tome's State Council also called an
emergency meeting with the President for February 12 to
discuss the situation further. Upon receipt of clearance
from Washington, the Embassy will distribute a warden message
urging American citizens to exercise caution and listen to
radio reports.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
5. (C) This incident, which appears at this time to be
contained, ends a period of relative political stability that
Sao Tome has experienced since the June 2008 formation of
Prime Minister Branco's government (reftel) and a series of
police mutinies beginning in late 2007. Prime Minister
Branco's government was formed after a month of political
LIBREVILLE 00000056 002.2 OF 002
crisis, and following the collapse of his predecessor's
three-month government. He, and president de Menezes, now
face another crisis that will test the development of this
fragile democracy.
REDDICK