Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT227
2009-03-30 11:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

CONSOLIDATING POWER: THE JUNTA'S NEW CLIENTELISM

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PINR MR 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000227 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MR
SUBJECT: CONSOLIDATING POWER: THE JUNTA'S NEW CLIENTELISM

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000227

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MR
SUBJECT: CONSOLIDATING POWER: THE JUNTA'S NEW CLIENTELISM

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Dennis Hankins for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).


1. (SBU) Summary: While Qadhafi's mediation efforts
unfolded the week of March 9-13, the High State Council (HSC)
continuedQming coup supporters to key government positions
-- particularly in ministries involved with elections such as
the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of
Communications. These politically motivated appointments
aimed to further consolidate General Aziz's power by
rewarding allies with key tribal and regional connections.
These individuals will in turn use their influence to ensure
the General gets elected in June 6. The wave of appointments
included a Haratine and an Afro-Mauritanian, catering to the
electorate from traditionally under-represented groups. The
nominations also brought an increasing number of Nasserists
and Baathists to the government, highlighting the junta's
desire to get cozy with Qadhafi and bring Mauritania closer
to the Arab world (despite its surprising newfound closeness
with Iran). International community deadlines have afforded
General Aziz enough time to build a clientelistic system
designed to ensure his permanence in power. The General is
now prepared to move swiftly towards the final kill, securing
the presidency in the June 6 elections. End summary.

--------------
A CARNIVAL OF PROMOTIONS
--------------


2. (U) Local newspaper Le Quotidien highlighted March 8 the
fast pace of promotions and appointments, stating that now
"every Council of Ministers results in personnel changes."
According to the newspaper, promotions "have become prizes
that regime leaders brandish in front of civil servants
hungry for career advancement. They are also a weapon used
against those who are hostile to their cause." Le Quotidien
states that those who get promoted are "the mediocre, the
social climbers and the boot lickers," and stresses that
undeserving regime supporters are promoted at the expense of
meritorious civil servants.


3. (SBU) According to political LES, the junta has been
playing the tribal card by appointing influential members of
powerful tribes favorable to the HSC to key government
positions. For example, Mohamed Salem Ould Bouka, recently

appointed Director General of state controlled Mauritanian TV
(TVM),belongs to an important tribe from the Eastern region
of Assaba that supports General Ghazouani. His deputy Amar
Ould Bouhoubeini is from the powerful Ouled Ahmed Ben Daman
tribe from the southern city of Rosso and a staunch supporter
of General Aziz.

--------------
INFLUENCING ELECTIONS
--------------


4. (U) Many of the recent appointments directly concern the
Ministry of the Interior (counselors, inspectors, directors,
deputies),the Ministry of Communications (secretary general
and director of cooperation and exterior relations) or state
controlled media such as Radio Mauritanie (director) and
Mauritanian TV (new director). These ministries are closely
involved with election efforts -- the Ministry of the
Interior coordinates elections with walis, deputies and
hakems -- and the Ministry of Communications has control
over information and the power to influence public opinion.


5. (SBU) Interestingly, new Secretary General to the
Ministry of Communication Mohamed Lemine Ould Molaye Zeine,
who will coordinate and control state and private media, was
previously in charge of authorizing demonstrations and public
gatherings and is known for repressing FNDD and labor union
demonstrations against the coup.

--------------
COURTING MINORITIES
--------------


NOUAKCHOTT 00000227 002 OF 002



6. (SBU) According to political LES, the appointment of
Haratine Sidi Moloud Ould Brahim, the new wali of Nouakchott,
exemplifies junta efforts to cater to the traditionally
under-represented Haratine population. The nomination also
rewards Ould Brahim's allegiance to the junta. (Note: Ould
Brahim was the Brakna region's wali before being dismissed by
President Abdallahi following the December 2008 assassination
of the French tourists near Aleg. End note.) Comment: The
Haratine population has also been among the main recipients
of General Aziz's aid in the poor districts of Nouakchott in
an effort to co-opt their support for General Aziz. End
comment.


7. (SBU) An Afro-Mauritanian journalist, Dicko Soudani, was
named director of cooperation and exterior relations.
Soudani's appointment caters to another under-represented
group. Comment: General Aziz's recent visits to the poverty
triangle (Brakna, Assaba, Gorgol),his promises of poverty
reduction programs, and his efforts to settle the "passif
humanitaire" question further illustrate his campaigning
efforts among the Afro-Mauritanians (see Septel). End
comment.

--------------
NASSERISTS AND BAATHISTS
--------------


8. (SBU) Political LES point out that the junta has named a
large number of Nasserists and Baathists to government
positions. Appointments of Nasserists in particular seek to
court Qadhafi, the movement's current spiritual leader. The
movement's credo -- promotion of the Arabic language, belief
in the uniqueness of the Arab community and opposition to
Israel and Western countries that support it -- is shared by
many in government and the armed forces. Baathists are also
among the regime's main supporters and General Aziz has
rewarded them with government positions. For example,
influential members of Mauritania's Baathist central
committee such as Mohamed Yehdid Ould Breidleil and Memed
Ould Ahmed party were recently appointed presidents to the
board of directors of the national water and electricity
companies. (Comment: Interestingly, the junta's
rapprochement with Iran makes for strange bedfellows as
Mauritanian Baathists loathe Iran. End comment.)


9. (C) Comment: The junta, which accused President
Abdallahi of corruption and nepotism, has not put its money
where its mouth is. International community deadlines pushed
back numerous times have given the HSC plenty of time to
build its clientelistic system. The current government put
in place by General Aziz will prove useful to him when he
steps down from the presidency in mid-April to run for
office. His supporters will not only keep things in order in
the government during his "absence" but will also ensure he
gets elected by using their regional and tribal connections
to gather votes in his support. It is likely that General
Aziz will run unopposed in June 6 and there should be no
doubt as to the outcome of the election. End comment.
HANKINS