ELECTORAL COMMISSION MEMBER RESIGNS FROM "MAFIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NOUAKCHOTT 000287

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MR
SUBJECT: ELECTORAL COMMISSION MEMBER RESIGNS FROM "MAFIA
MACHINE"

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 251

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DENNIS HANKINS FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).


1. (C) Summary: Sid'Ahmed Ould Habott, a prestigious
member of the National Independent Electoral Commission
(CENI),resigned April 20 as he believes the CENI's objective
is not to organize free and fair elections but to certify
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's electoral victory. For Ould
Habott, organizing an election in five weeks is impossible.
Objectively, the CENI is not prepared from a logistical and
technical point of view. Also, Ould Habott believes the
election should not be held unless a consensus is reached
among all parties. Ould Habott stated the election is a
sham, confirmed that members of the government are intent on
ensuring Aziz's election, and described the CENI as a "mafia
machine." He warned that participation in the election would
mean "political suicide" for the opposition and said a
boycott is the best strategy. He believes Ould Abdel Aziz is
a Libyan satellite and that Qadhafi is fueling and supporting
the General's ambitions. End summary.

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EMPTY PROMISES
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2. (C) PolOff met April 21 with Ould Habott, a respected
human rights activist and member of the 2005-2007 democratic
transition CENI, to discuss the reasons behind his
resignation. Ould Habbot explained that he had left CENI due
to a "misunderstanding" between him and CENI President
Professor Cheikh Saad Bouh Camara. Ould Habott stated that,
when he joined CENI, he thought the commission could use its
influence to promote political consensus and change the
electoral calendar. He said he met four times with Prime
Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Ladhdaf, who reassured him that
the military would be open to suggestions from CENI. The
Prime Minister said they were looking for credible and
influential figures like him and Professor Camara to provide
direction. Nevertheless, Ould Habott soon realized he was
just being used to legitimize a CENI designed to certify Ould
Abdel Aziz's election. (Note: Ould Habott resigned exactly
one week after joining CENI. End note.) "My conscience will
not let me do that," he stated. Comment: Professor Camara
and Ould Habott are intimate friends. PolOff is not
surprised Ould Habott believed CENI could influence the
election date and promote consensus as Professor Camara also
alluded to these themes in a conversation with PolOff
(Reftel). Camara insisted that it was not certain that
General Aziz would run or that the election would take place
on June 6. PolOff thinks Camara might have influenced Ould
Habott into believing they could single-handedly change the
situation from their CENI positions. End comment.

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A SLAPDASH ELECTION
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3. (C) Ould Habott stated that he had vast experience
planning elections and that he knew there was "no way on
earth" the CENI could organize free and fair elections in
five weeks. He told PolOff that CENI currently does not have
headquarters, no vehicles or computers and no time to train
the presidents and members of departmental commissions across
the country. He was adamant the election date had to be
pushed to allow CENI to organize from a logistic and
technical point of view. He also felt any extra time should
be devoted to achieving political consensus with the
opposition parties. Ould Habott said he asked Camara to
raise this with the military but Camara refused. He then
realized that Camara had been co-opted by the military.
Comment: Ould Habott's statement that he asked Camara to
consult with the military confirms that the military is still
running the country. He did not say "to consult with
President Ba M'Bare." End comment.

NOUAKCHOTT 00000287 002 OF 003




4. (C) "There is no question the election will be rigged,"
he said. He declared himself shocked at hearing ministers
currently serving in the government say that "they would do
anything to ensure Aziz was elected president." Comment:
This comes as no surprise as General Aziz appointed tribal
members and supporters to key ministries. End comment.


5. (C) As the meeting progressed, Ould Habott became
increasingly upset. He said the CENI was "a mafia machine"
and stated the elections had to be boycotted as participating
in these elections would mean "political suicide" for the
opposition. He believes Ould Abdel Aziz could not win in a
transparent election. From his experience in the 2007
election, he knows that despite all the money, threats and
traffic of influences that took place, President Abdallahi
only got a mediocre percentage in the first round. Comment:
Ould Habott's admission of 2007 election manipulations
confirms that CENI members at the time were not oblivious to
the military's use of influence to elect President Abdallahi.
End comment.


6. (C) When PolOff asked if he expected others to resign,
Ould Habott looked despondent and responded that the only
person who would have been capable of resigning was Camara
but that Camara seems to be in complete agreement with the
military. PolOff asked if he thought Camara had been paid by
the military. He said he thought Camara had a "recognition"
crisis. He stated he was very disappointed at Camara and
felt he had betrayed the principles they had fought for all
their lives.
.

7. (C) Ould Habott warned PolOff about a potential wave of
repression following the elections. He stated that once Ould
Abdel Aziz secures the presidency, he will lash out against
everybody who opposed him. When PolOff asked him if he
feared for his security, Ould Habott stated he did not, that
he had already survived Ould Taya.

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QADHAFI TURNED THE TIDE
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8. (C) Having tried to work as a mediator since the
beginning of the crisis, Ould Habott had access to the
different actors -- including General Aziz -- and said he had
identified a willingness to negotiate on the part of the
military. Nevertheless, after Qadhafi's visit, he noticed a
change of heart in General Aziz. Ould Habott believes that
Ould Abdel Aziz struck a deal with Qadhafi and that Qadhafi
is paying for the election and encouraging Aziz to run. Ould
Habott would not be surprised if Mauritania became a Libyan
satellite in the region. "Knowing Qadhafi," said Ould
Habott, "he would not have come to Nouakchott for nothing.
Whenever he gets involved, he expects to recoup his
investment at least ten-fold."

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NEXT STEPS
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9. (C) Ould Habott published a press release stating that
he cannot participate in CENI because he believes consensus
is a necessary condition to the election. He said he intends
to continue working towards a mediation effort and to
participate in anti-coup protests.


10. (C) According to Ould Habott, only a strong and united
opposition or international intervention can stop Aziz.
Nevertheless, he feared neither would be the case but he said
he would keep fighting.


11. (C) Comment: Ould Habott's testimony comes as a
confirmation of what post already suspected: the June 6
election is a sham to install Ould Abdel Aziz in the
presidency. Ould Habott is among those who thought they

NOUAKCHOTT 00000287 003 OF 003


could play with the devil and win. He realized quickly
enough he could not and was courageous enough to get out.
His resignation represents a blow to CENI and exposes the
true nature of the election. Assuming the elections go
forward as planned, Ould Habott's testimony will be key in
establishing the illegitimacy of the process and the
"winner." End comment.
HANKINS