Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 10MAPUTO81, GUEBUZA MAKES FEW CHANGES TO CABINET

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
10MAPUTO81 2010-01-25 12:44 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Maputo
VZCZCXRO6858
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #0081 0251244
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 251244Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1215
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0602
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000081 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2019 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MZ
SUBJECT: GUEBUZA MAKES FEW CHANGES TO CABINET 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Chapman for reasons 1.4 (b+d) 
 
1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  On January 16 President Guebuza announced 
the members of his Cabinet.  There were few changes.  With 
the exception of shifting Aires Aly, Minister of Education 
and Culture during Guebuza's first term, to Prime Minister, 
all other key ministers retained their posts.  With Guebuza's 
FRELIMO party receiving high percentages of votes in the 
tainted presidential, legislative and provincial elections 
held October 28, there was little incentive to make 
revisions.  The President took the opportunity to reward 
loyalty, despite public concerns of international donors 
about democracy and governance.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
New Prime Minister: Personally Loyal to Guebuza 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
2.  (SBU) Aires Aly, from Mozambique's largest and least 
populous province, Niassa, in the country's northwestern 
corner, is a Muslim and member of a relatively small tribe, 
the Nyanja.  He was named by President Guebuza to replace 
Luisa Diogo, who was considered to be a strong supporter of 
former president Chissano.  Diogo will no longer be part of 
the executive, although she will serve as an MP in the 
National Assembly (AR).  Though Aly did not especially 
distinguish himself in his previous position as Minister of 
Education and Culture, he does sit on FRELIMO's key Political 
Commission.  While many observers note that his promotion 
brings geographical, religious, and tribal balance to the 
Cabinet, it is more importantly seen as an acknowledgment of 
Aly's cleaving to the party line and his personal loyalty to 
President Guebuza.  Observers also agree that while Aly could 
be a potential candidate for the Presidency, he would never 
attempt to compete with Guebuza should the constitution be 
revised to allow Guebuza to run for a third term in 2014. 
 
3.  (SBU) Prior to his appointment as Minister of Education 
and Culture in 2005, Aly was governor of Niassa (1995 to 
2000) and of the southern province of Inhambane (2000 to 
2004).  He also served as the Provincial Director of 
Education in Nampula, head of the office of the Minister of 
Education, and National Director of School Social Welfare 
Programs.  Aly has two children studying at the university 
level in Oklahoma and has expressed support of educational 
exchange programs between the United States and Mozambique. 
 
----------------------- 
But Few Other New Faces 
----------------------- 
 
4.  (C) All other key ministers retained their positions. 
Remaining in place are the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, 
Defense, Planning and Development, Interior, Health, Finance, 
Commerce, Agriculture, Justice, Science and Technology, 
Labor, Mineral Resources, Energy, Transport, Public Service, 
and the Ministry of the Presidency.  The only changes were at 
minor ministries such as Fisheries, Veterans, Affairs, 
Women's Affairs and Social Welfare, and Public Works and 
Housing.  Aly's replacement at the Education Ministry, 
Zeferino Martins, served in the Chissano administration as 
Vice Minister of Education and has particular expertise in 
vocational and technical training.  He is generally seen as 
an experienced, capable professional.  A presidential advisor 
told the Charge that the former Minister of Public Works, 
Felicio Zacarias, was dismissed because of demonstrated 
corruption in his ministry. 
 
---------------------------------- 
Comment: Consolidation, Not Change 
---------------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) Despite widespread concerns by international donors 
about democracy and governance issues, and increasing 
evidence of and public criticism of high-level corruption, 
President Guebuza failed to make substantial changes in his 
cabinet.  The USG already has positive working relations with 
the new PM and with the existing FM and Minister of the 
Presidency which will assist with continuity in our political 
discussions.  It is unfortunate, however, that many of the 
poorly performing economic Ministers, such as Industry and 
Commerce, Planning and Development, Labor, and Agriculture, 
were not replaced, which could hamper progress in pressing 
forward with our economic and developmental policy agenda. 
CHAPMAN