VZCZCXRO8795
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHLC #0134 0931054
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 031054Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1036
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000134 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV CASC TP
SUBJECT: SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: TWO SOLDIERS DEAD AFTER 
PERSONAL DISPUTE IN PRIME MINISTER,S COMPOUND 
 
REF: LIBREVILLE 128 
 
¶1. An apparent personal altercation ended in a fatal shootout 
between two soldiers on guard duty at Prime Minister Rapheal 
Branco's government compound in the early morning hours of 
April 2.  In the midst of an argument between the two 
soldiers, one soldier shot the other in the chest and was 
killed instantly by the wounded soldier's return fire.  The 
surviving soldier was taken to the hospital, where he later 
died from the single gunshot wound.  There were no reports of 
other injuries.  In a public statement, a police spokesman 
ruled out any political motivation for the shooting and said 
that the incident was apparently the result of an argument 
between the two soldiers.  An investigation is underway. 
 
¶2. According to Embassy local employees in Sao Tome, small 
numbers of soldiers have been called upon to reinforce police 
security at various government buildings since February, when 
38 members of the disbanded paramilitary group known as the 
Buffaloes were charged with plotting a coup (reftel). 
Commander of the Army Idalecio Pachire apologized for the 
latest incident and called the loss of life senseless. 
REDDICK