VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0477 2991254
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 261254Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9950
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY 0410
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 1404
RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY 0979
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0847

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIBREVILLE 000477 
 
SIPDIS 
 
KINSHASA FOR BRAZZAVILLE 
YAOUNDA FOR MALABO 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017 
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PREL TP
SUBJECT: SAO TOME: POST-SCRIPT TO POLICE MUTINY 
 
REF: A. LIBREVILLE 0450 
     ¶B. LIBREVILLE 0466 
 
Classified By: Poloff Leslie Doumbia for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  (C) In the aftermath of the latest incident involving a 
group of mutinous police officers known as the "Ninjas", the 
government of Sao Tome released details of an agreement 
reached with the group October 18.  The agreement disbands 
and dismisses the Ninjas. However, it also meets their 
questionable demands for back pay and poses no other 
penalties.  The mutiny, subsequent negotiations, and varied 
reactions of government officials highlight the fragile 
nature of STP,s fledgling democracy.  END SUMMARY. 
 
----------------- 
Let,s Make a Deal 
----------------- 
 
¶2. (C) The GSTP and a group of dissident police officers 
known as the "Ninjas" negotiated an agreement after the 
second mutiny by the group in as many weeks (reftels).  The 
Ninjas, who reoccupied the national police headquarters on 
October 17, put down their weapons in the early morning hours 
of October 18.  An agreement was reached only after lengthy 
negotiations with the Ninjas and much wrangling within the 
GSTP. 
 
¶3. (U) According to the agreement, the government will pay 
back pay that the Ninjas claimed they are owed for a period 
of training in Angola and grant amnesty to all involved in 
the mutiny.  In return, all of the dissident police officers 
will be dismissed and put on a type of probation.  If they 
are ever involved in another mutinous or criminal act, the 
agreement asserts, they will be prosecuted. 
 
------------------ 
Good Cop, Bad Cop? 
------------------ 
 
¶4. (C) Some in the government believed that the agreement was 
too lenient.  On October 18, having just reviewed and 
approved the draft agreement, Minister of Defense Oscar Sousa 
told CDA and DATT that his forces had been prepared to 
&bombard8 the mutineers.  He was very reluctant to grant 
concessions to the mutineers, Sousa added.  However, other 
political players, notably the Speaker of the Parliament 
Francisco Silva, intervened, negotiated a settlement, and 
persuaded the government to accept it. 
 
¶5. (C) The defense minister's perspective was not shared by 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos dos Anjos.  The Foreign 
Minister said that despite the widespread criticism of the 
government for granting such concessions to the Ninjas, there 
would have been an even greater outcry if any of the Ninjas 
had been killed in suppressing their actions.  Dos Anjos also 
acknowledged that the GSTP had been criticized for granting 
concessions to the "Buffalos", a more formidable group of 
former mercenaries involved in a coup attempt in 2003. 
 
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COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) At minimum, this incident points to confusion and 
weakness within the government of STP.  STP is a young but 
real democracy facing significant growing pains.  These 
difficulties are exacerbated by rising prices and bare 
government coffers.  The government has also demonstrated a 
worrisome willingness to negotiate with people who take up 
arms to express their grievances.  END COMMENT. 
HOLT