CAMEROON: FORMER AMB TO THE US ARRESTED FOR

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000367 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/C, INL/C AND CA DEPARTMENT PASS TO USAID FOR MARK BILLERA COMMERCE FOR ITA BURRESS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCOR PREL CVIS CM SUBJECT: CAMEROON: FORMER AMB TO THE US ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION REF: 08 YAOUNDE 546 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Jerome Mendouga, Cameroon's Ambassador to the U.S. from 1994 to 2008, was arrested on April 15, accused of mishandling 720,000,00 CFA (about $1.5 million) that was intended for the purchase of a Boeing aircraft for Cameroonian President Paul Biya. Mendouga is the most recent but certainly not the last prominent Cameroonian official to be jailed on allegations of corruption in the "Albatross Affair," as the Cameroonian press has nicknamed the series of scandals and shadowy deals that cost the Cameroonian treasury upwards of $30 million (reftel). The Cameroonian media had long speculated about Mendouga's involvement, but the arrest of such a powerful official and confidant of President Biya is nonetheless headline news in Cameroon, and a reminder that Biya's anti-corruption drive advances at its own rhythm. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Mendouga had been interviewed by Cameroonian officials investigating the various components of the Albatross affair since at least summer 2008. Mendouga believed he was appearing as a witness, not a suspect, when he arrived at the Yaounde High Court on April 15. Mendouga was charged with embezzling 720,000,000 in government funds intended for the purchase of the airplane and transferred to Kondengui prison (which, sources tell us, is rapidly expanding its "VIP" wing). ¶3. (SBU) Mendouga joins Jean Marie Atangana Mebara (former Secretary General at the Presidency and former Foreign Minister) and Hubert Otele (a Cameroonian businessman allegedly involved in the scandal) as the most prominent officials yet detained in this affair, which has embroiled a veritable "Who's Who" of Cameroonian power brokers, including the current Prime Minister and the Minister of Territorial Administration (reftel). ¶4. (SBU) Comment. Although Mendouga has long been linked to the Albatross Affair, his arrest has again pushed Biya's long-declared war against corruption (nicknamed "Operation Epervier") into the headlines and reignited speculation as to which prominent Cameroonian will be next brought to justice. End comment. ¶5. (SBU) Mendouga (15-AUG-1938) and his spouse, Louisette Marie Rose Mendouga Nee Mekongo (23-OCT-1952),both possess current A1 visas. Post is reviewing Consular files to determine which of Mendouga's dependents might be present in the US or possess current visas. Post will review all available information regarding Mendouga's alleged corruption before deciding whether or not to transmit a VISAS DONKEY SAO. FOX