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FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6516
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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RUFGAID/USEUCOM AIDES VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANJUL 000188 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DAKAR PASS RAO, DAO, AND ODC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PINS CASC ASEC PHUM GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWING COUP 
ATTEMPT 
 
REF: A. BANJUL 184 AND PREVIOUS 
 
     ¶B. BANJUL 178 
     ¶C. BANJUL 177 
 
BANJUL 00000188  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D) 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
 
¶1. (C) President Jammeh issued a predictably tough, defiant 
statement on the failed coup attempt, describing the plotters 
as "bed bugs and fleas" and  warning that they would receive 
no leniency.  He also indicated the GOTG's determination to 
host the AU Summit in July as scheduled -- "whether any 
country, body, or organization likes it or not."  Two allied 
opposition parties have condemned the coup attempt, while 
expressing hope that the GOTG will refrain from a crackdown 
on the opposition.  The number of detainees suspected of 
involvement in the plot has now reached 27, by our count, and 
we have registered concern to the GOTG over an Amcit 
detainee, Tamsir Jasseh, and requested prompt access to him. 
The extent of support for the coup outside the military 
remains unclear; we will look for an early opportunity to 
flag to the GOTG the need to avoid a crackdown on the 
opposition in reaction to the failed plot.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
JAMMEH'S PUBLIC APPEARANCE AND STATEMENT 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On March 24, President Jammeh made his first public 
appearance in Banjul since rushing back from Mauritania 
following the aborted coup attempt March 21 (ref a).  Local 
journals ran photos of crowds cheering Jammeh, accompanied by 
a large contingent of aides and security officers, as he 
strolled along a Banjul thoroughfare. 
 
¶3. (SBU) On the evening of March 24, Jammeh issued  his 
initial statement on the incident in a televised address 
(full  text being sent to AF/W).  It was a predictably tough 
statement from the rough-hewn President, who referred to  the 
"cowardly plotters" as "bed bugs and fleas"  and claimed that 
they had undertaken their "unpatriotic act for no reason 
other than sheer greed, inordinate and selfish desire for 
power and possible outside influence."  (COMMENT: In March 25 
conversation with Foreign Minister Lamin Kaba Bajo, 
Ambassador asked whether Jammeh was referring to a foreign 
power with his mention of "possible outside influence"; Bajo 
professed ignorance on this score, but reiterated, per ref b, 
that he was not aware of any evidence of foreign involvement 
in the coup plot. END COMMENT.) 
 
¶4. (SBU) Jammeh went on to suggest that the plotters, or 
sympathizers, may have been motivated by a desire to tarnish 
the country's image with an eye to the GOTG's scheduled 
hosting of the African Union Summit in July.  He 
remarked,"The Gambia is hosting the AU summit in a few months 
time and some entities do not want to see that take place. 
They want to give the impression that we are not stable 
enough. They have failed and will always fail.   By the grace 
of Allah, we will host the AU with success, whether any 
country, body, or  organization likes it or not." 
 
¶5. (SBU) Jammeh warned that those implicated in the overthrow 
attempt could expect no leniency.  He stated, "...attempts to 
unconstitutionally overthrow it (Jammeh's Government) will be 
crushed without mercy.  Gambians can be rest assured that, 
Allah willing, I will set an example that will put a 
definitive end to  these ruthless, callous, and shameless 
acts of treachery and sabotage.  I have warned Gambians long 
enough.  This time you can be rest assured is not the time 
for sympathy.  Enough of this nonsense." 
 
STATEMENT BY THE OPPOSITION 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The opposition has also spoken out against the 
incident.  In a March 26 statement as reported by the media, 
the representatives of the country's largest  opposition 
party, United Democratic Party (UDP), and the allied National 
Reconciliation Party (NRP) issued a joint statement 
condemning "all forms of regime or government change by means 
of force or through  the barrel of a gun." The two parties 
expressed "regret" over "the actions of certain members of 
the security force who attempted to resort to such action 
rather than encourage peaceful means of effecting regime 
change."  The parties urged the GOTG to ensure "speedy and 
 
BANJUL 00000188  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
fair trial" for the accused, while also registering concern 
over the detention of civilians  and expressing hope that the 
failed plot would not result in a "political vendetta and 
witchhunt for opponents within the system of partisian 
politics." 
 
MORE DETENTIONS 
--------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Meanwhile the number of persons picked up for 
suspected involvement in the plot continues to grow and has 
now reached twenty-seven, by our count. The majority of 
detainees are current or former military and security 
personnel; among the  half-dozen or so civilians in custody 
is an Amcit (dual national), Tamsir Jasseh, former senior 
Interior Ministry official (Director General of Immigration) 
who, as reported ref c, initially informed us of the coup 
plot on the evening of March 21.  Following GOTG's 
confirmation to us March 25 of Jasseh's detention, Ambassador 
spoke separately with the Interior Minister and Foreign 
Minister, noting our concern for his well-being and 
requesting that we be allowed to visit him at the earliest 
opportunity. The Ministers took note of our request and 
indicated that they would arrange for our access to Jasseh as 
promptly as possible. On March 27, we followed up with a 
diplomatic note requesting access.  In conversation with 
pol/econoff, the director of the country's  largest prison, 
"Mile Two"  prison located near Banjul, confirmed that Jasseh 
was being held there; pol/econoff stressed Embassy's concern 
for Amcits' well-being. 
 
¶8. (SBU) According to the local press, other civilian 
detainees include, inter alia, the Gambian Civil Aviation 
Authority's Security Manager, Lamin Gassama, a former 
National Assembly member, Ramzia Diab and her husband, Raif 
Diab, as well as a senior Finance Ministry official, 
Accountant General Alieu Jobe.  We are aware of one detainee 
being released so far, current Director General of 
Immigration, Musa Mboob, who was reportedly picked up March 
26 and released later the same day. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶9. (C) President Jammeh's statement on the failed coup 
attempt is consistent with his well-established penchant for 
engaging in tough, defiant, and convoluted rhetoric that is 
less than statesman-like.  His logic in linking the coup 
attempt to efforts to thwart the GOTG's hosting of the 
upcoming AU summit is murky, and  we will seek clarification 
from the GOTG.  We will also seek clarification on his 
reference to "possible  outside influence" in connection with 
the plot.  Meanwhile, while Jammeh may take heart from the 
GOTG opposition parties' condemnation of the overthrow 
attempt, they made clear their concern over the specter of a 
crackdown on the opposition in  the GOTG's reaction to the 
incident.  As reported ref a, prominent local journalist Pap 
Saine indicated to us that he did not expect such a 
crackdown, but we will look for an early opportunity to raise 
the matter with the GOTG. 
 
¶10.  (C) The extent to which there was support for the coup 
attempt beyond the military remains unclear.  However, at 
this point, the possibility of significant pro-coup sentiment 
among civilians -- at least  among die-hard adversaries in 
The Gambia or abroad -- cannot be ruled out, although our 
assessment remains that the stability of The Gambia's 
government and society remains intact. END  COMMENT. 
STAFFORD