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RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI 1079

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGUI 000062 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON PINR CT
SUBJECT: RECENT LIBYAN ACTIVITY IN THE CAR: A NEW CHAPTER IN AN OLD 
STORY 
 
REF: 09 BANGUI 56 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  The apparent dissolution of the December 2008 
Inclusive Political Dialogue in the Central African Republic has 
been precipitated by, among other events, the recent rebel 
activity of the FDPC, a group with strongly suspected ties to 
Libya (REFTEL 09 BANGUI 56). Libya's influence upon the CAR 
stretches back at least thirty years, waxing and waning over 
time, but may now be on an up tick. END SUMMARY 
 
--------------- 
Background 
--------------- 
¶2. (SBU) The Central African Republic and Libya established 
diplomatic relations shortly after Qadhafi came to power in 
¶1969. Ties were reinforced by a commercial agreement between the 
two countries signed in October 1976. Since then, Central 
African heads of state have continued to reinforce the country's 
economic and political ties with Libya. 
 
-------------------------- 
Political relationship 
-------------------------- 
¶3. (SBU) Qadhafi's Libya was among the first Arab countries to 
open a diplomatic mission in the Central African Republic. 
Colonel Qadhafi visited CAR several time and even succeeded in 
converting President Bokassa to Islam for a very short time in 
¶1976. Though Libyan involvement continued post Bokassa, it was 
President Ange Felix Patasse, elected in 1993,  who developed 
the strongest political, financial, economic and military 
relationships with Tripoli. Libya backed Patasse in the 
resolution of the political and military crises that the country 
faced during the 1996 and 1997 mutinies as well as the May 2001 
Andre Kolingba-led coup attempt. To protect Patasse's regime, 
Libya deployed troops and significant military equipment which 
were then used later to oppose Francois Bozize's rebellion of 
October 2002. Under strong pressure from the international 
community and opposition groups, the Libyans were asked to 
withdraw their armed forces before Bozize's successful coup in 
2003, but by 2005 they would again be embroiled CAR politics: 
Bozize was confronted with the rebellions by the APRD, UFDR and 
FDPC, and was forced to request aid from Qadhafi. Together with 
President Bongo of Gabon, Qadhafi pushed for the signature of 
peace agreements between the rebel groups and the Central 
African Government which paved the way for the recent Inclusive 
Political Dialogue. Libya continues to play a crucial political 
role in the Central African Republic as member of the Inclusive 
Political Dialogue Follow up Committee, though the dialogue 
teeters on the edge due to recent violence. 
 
------------------------- 
Military cooperation 
------------------------- 
¶4. (SBU) During Bokassa's rule, the Central African Republic 
signed a military cooperation agreement with Libya that lasted 
from 1976 to 1979. Though direct military to military exchanges 
ended with Bokassa, Libyan troops have been involved in internal 
CAR disputes on multiple occasions, particularly in helping 
protect Patasse's regime against the May 2001 failed coup by 
Kolingba. Additionally, the CAR Gendarmerie uses vehicles 
donated by the Libyan Embassy as transport to and from its 
correctional facility in Bangui. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
Economic and financial assistance 
----------------------------------------- 
¶5. (SBU) Libya is among Central African Republic's many donors, 
yet few can estimate the total amount or breakdown of financial 
assistance received from Libya. Post believes this is due to the 
fact that the majority of assistance is not provided through the 
usual cooperation channels but is instead conducted at a head of 
state level with few paper trails. However, Post was able to 
ascertain that Libya donated 5,000 tons of oil to the Central 
African Government in 1998 to help the country deal with sharp 
oil price increases on the international markets and has 
continued to provide emergency support of this kind on an as 
needed basis. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Libyan economic presence in CAR is particularly 
 
BANGUI 00000062  002 OF 002 
 
 
visible in the sectors of real estate and banking. Libya 
acquired several properties in Bangui during Patasse's time, 
among them a 300 room hotel whose proprietors contracted a 
Chinese company to restart the construction work in 2008. It is 
telling perhaps that very little paperwork exists concerning the 
structure or background of how the properties were purchased and 
who exactly owns them. The most recent and highly visible Libyan 
investment has been in the banking sector. Banque 
Sahelo-Saharienne pour l'Investissement et le Commerce (BSIC), 
of which Libya owns a 45 per cent share, is a regional bank 
created in 1999 to provide a comprehensive range of financial 
and banking services, including long term financing for the 
public and private sectors in an effort to accelerate 
socio-economic development of the CEN-SAD community country 
members. BSIC opened it Bangui branch in October of 2008. 
 
¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Post believes one of two scenarios is likely 
in play (or perhaps a combination of the two): 
-- Regime change. Libyans in the CAR signaled to the Ambassador 
their disappointment with the current government, perhaps the 
BSIC has been targeted by corruption and abuse. Perhaps some 
other agreement between Qadhafi and Bozize has been breached. 
Outgoing Ambassador of BONUCA, Francois Fall (PROTECT SOURCE), 
told us this may be a driving reason for Qadhafi's renewed 
interest in the CAR. 
-- A desire in general to weaken neighboring states and as well 
as a push back against Bongo's regional influence?  It may be 
that the FDPC is being put into play to ensure that either the 
CARG remains weak, or that Qadhafi will have a stronger hand 
from which to play when a deal is in the making. Additionally, 
according to an Embassy source, Qadhafi was enraged by his lack 
of influence upon the Inclusive Political Dialogue and may be 
smarting at his loss of face vis a vis Bongo. 
 
¶8. (U) MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. 
FBCOOK