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R 261328Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1490
AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
DIA WASHINGTON DC
CIA WASHDC
NSC WASHINGTON DC
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000471 
 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C LISA KORTE; INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL GB
SUBJECT: GABON: ALI BONGO TRAVELS REGIONALLY, DEALS WITH LOCAL 
PROBLEMS 
 
REF: 09 LIBREVILLE 00467 
 
¶1. SUMMARY. President Ali Bongo Ondimba wasted no time after his 
inauguration to travel regionally in an effort to establish his 
credentials outside of Gabon.  President Bongo travelled to the 
Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo where he met with senior governmental leaders. 
 Prior to departing Gabon, President Bongo declared his intention to 
hold the council of ministers meeting in various cities throughout 
Gabon, starting with Port Gentil, in order for the government to 
better understand issues outside of Libreville.  Also domestically, 
former Interim President Rose Rogombe was formally re-invested with 
her seat as President of the Senate.  Despite the recent activity on 
the international front, President Bongo's regional credentials and 
leadership remain uncertain.  His efforts to ease tension in Port 
Gentil, a central location for anti-Ali Bongo sentiment, remains 
similarly up in the air.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------- 
Ali Travels to CAR, EG, and DRC 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. In his first official travel beyond Gabon's borders, President 
Ali Bongo Ondimba visited Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) on 
October 21 to meet with President Francois Bozize, and later that 
day met with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Bata, 
Equatorial Guinea (EG).  On October 24 President Bongo traveled to 
Kinshasa, DRC to meet with Joseph Kabila and attend the 14th CEEAC 
Presidential Conference.  In addition to discussing bilateral issues 
with each head of state, President Bongo likely reviewed regional 
conflict and economic issues, including the theft of funds at the 
Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the appointment of a new 
BEAC Governor (reftel). 
 
¶3. President Bongo's visit to EG was closely watched in Gabon for 
signs that several sensitive issues might be addressed.  There were 
rumors throughout the election campaign period that the EG 
president, government, or unnamed other individuals supported 
opposition Fang ethnic group candidates in Gabon, namely Andre Mba 
Obame, a former close associate of President Bongo.  Also, President 
Bongo has been reputed to be the stumbling block on the Gabonese 
side to resolving the dispute with EG over ownership of Mbanie 
Islands and their potentially rich off-shore oil fields.  Although 
Gabon has controlled the position of governor of BEAC, EG has 
surpassed Gabon as the largest depositor in the bank.  Gabon's 
retention of the governor position and the investigation of the BEAC 
scandal will require the cooperation of presidents Obiang Nguema, 
Bozize and the other regional heads of state.  (Note:  The next 
meeting of the BEAC heads of state will take place in Bangui in 
November. End Note.) 
 
¶4. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are being criticized by other members 
of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) for 
lack of effort regarding economic integration.  CEMAC, which 
regulates the CFA currency in use by the member nations, has a 
growing interest in free trade and open borders across the 6 
countries. 
 
¶5. As for Gabon-CAR relations, it remains to be seen whether 
President Bongo will take on the role that his father played in 
facilitating contacts between Bozize's government and CAR rebel 
factions, and also support Gabon's continuing role as the backbone 
of the Central African peace-building mission in CAR (MICOPAX).  In 
his inauguration speech, Bongo stated that he would ensure his 
actions contributed to regional peace and security, and his 
subsequent speedy firing of the Gabonese governor of BEAC 
demonstrated firm action against corruption. 
 
¶6. While in the Democratic Republic of the Congo local Gabonese 
media widely reported that President Bongo kept issues dealing with 
the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) at the 
forefront.  The administration of CEEAC, including overall budget 
and human resources, was reported as President Bongo's primary 
talking points with President Kabila at the 14th CEEAC Presidential 
Summit. 
 
-------------------------------- 
A New Direction For Port Gentil? 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶7. The dusk to dawn curfew that was imposed September 03 in Port 
Gentil, Gabon's commercial has been reduced to midnight to six. 
Port Gentil was the scene of rioting, vandalism and several deaths 
(three according to government reports; nine according to observers) 
following the announcement of Ali Bongo as the winner of the 
presidential election.  To demonstrate his government's interest in 
Gabon beyond Libreville, the Council of Ministers declared its 
intention to hold its next meeting in Port Gentil and future 
meetings in other Gabonese cities. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
Former Interim President Rogombe Returns To Senate 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶8. Four months after assuming the Presidency according to the 
constitutional succession, Interim President Rose Francine Rogombe 
was reinstated as President of the Senate on October 20.  She was 
praised by the Senate Vice President for her handling of the 
transition following the death of President Omar Bongo on June 10, 
including the one month mourning period followed by the preparations 
for the August 30 election.  Appearing more at ease than in recent 
weeks, Rogombe greeted senate colleagues and well-wishers with 
Constitutional Court Madeleine Mbarantsuo and several newly 
appointed ministers at her side. 
 
 
REDDICK