US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1356

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001356 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER; CJTF HOA FOR POLAD 
FONTELA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, ECON, DJ 
SUBJECT: RPP CONGRESS OFFICIALLY NOMINATES GUELLEH FOR 
RE-ELECTION AS PRESIDENT 
 
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Summary 
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1.   (U) The RPP (People's Rally for Progress), the 
ruling party in the Djiboutian Government, held its 
annual Central Committee Congress October 6 and 7. 
The two-day event consisted of an ordinary session of 
the central committee, a body of 250 members gathered 
from around the country, and a second extraordinary 
session designating the party's candidate for the 
coming 2005 presidential elections. The congress 
nominated, as predicted, current President of the 
Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, as candidate 
for his own succession. Guelleh spoke on a broad base 
of national concerns in an address that seemed more 
like a campaign program. End Summary. 
 
2. (U) The President of the People's Rally for Progress 
Party (RPP), Ismail Omar Guelleh, vice-president, 
Dileita Mohamed Dileita (Prime Minister of Djibouti), 
and General Secretary, Idriss Arnaoud Ali (President of 
the National Assembly), presided over and spoke at the 
October 6-7 congress in which the RPP nominated its 
candidate, Ismail Omar Guelleh, for President of 
Djibouti.  Hundreds of party members and sympathizers, 
as well as all members of government, community and 
religious leaders attended the Congress.   Guelleh gave 
a detailed assessment of what has been done in the RPP 
and emphasized that all party members and sympathizers 
should have knowledge about the political, economic and 
social situation of the country. He praised the 250 RPP 
Central Committee members for their critiques on the 
functioning of the party. 
 
3. (U) The General secretary reviewed the general 
policy of the party and its activity report. For the 
time being, RPP has 34 satellite offices spread 
throughout country. He asked the President of the party 
to think about how to fund political parties broadly 
since the multiparty concept is integral to the 
country's political infrastructure and political 
parties in Djibouti now have some serious financial 
problems that might jeopardize or compromise their 
existence. A juridical framework must be found for 
funding political associations. "It would be 
democratically and politically correct that political 
parties benefit from public funding," the Secretary 
General added. On visits of party officials to the 
different satellite offices, he said the main 
complaints heard were about unemployment and lack of 
state documentation, such as the National Identity 
Card. The 2004 budget of the RPP is 23 millions FDJ 
(130 000 USD), of which 70% is provided by the state. 
 
4. (U) The second day of the congress was the official 
nomination of Ismail Omar Guelleh as the RPP candidate 
for re-election as president in 2005. Prime Minister 
Deleita announced the name of the candidate, which was 
followed by a standing ovation. The RPP is in an 
alliance composed of three other parties, FRUD (Front 
for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy), PPSD 
(Peoples Social democratic Party) and PND (National 
Democratic Party). The coalition parties were also 
represented at the congress. Mr. Aden Robleh Awaleh, 
president of PND, sent a press release from South 
Africa, where he is currently working as a Permanent 
Member of the Parliament of the African Union, 
supporting the candidacy of Guelleh. Guelleh requested 
an appointment with the other political parties in the 
ruling coalition, after the month of Ramadan at the end 
of November, to consider adopting a joint strategy. 
 
5. (U) In his acceptance speech before the congress, 
Guelleh drew an overall picture of what appeared to be 
his program for his second mandate. He emphasized that 
improving the situation of the poor is a necessary 
task. "Actions have to be taken to promote social and 
economic progress for our weakest fellow-citizens, the 
most vulnerable and most fragile ones" he said. 
Addressing government officials he stated, "Whichever 
person is eager to be invested in the destiny of the 
national community must be measured by his capacity for 
humility, responsibility and competence while 
subjecting himself to the regulations of the 
Constitution." In remarks clearly directed at 
Djibouti's youth, Guelleh said he wanted to give back 
to the youth both confidence and initiative. For women 
in Djibouti, they should have their rightful place and 
role in the national community. As for economic policy, 
Guelleh said he wanted it targeted towards the needs of 
human beings so that poverty can be reduced. He said in 
his speech, he wished to launch a massive campaign of 
literacy programs in rural areas. He said that a sound 
economy exists where reasonable choices are made, and 
is founded on "transparency, respect for universal 
management norms, and macroeconomic stability". 
 
6. (U) The means and logistics put in place to 
guarantee a large gathering for the congress were 
primarily ground transportation. Buses were rented to 
transport party members and sympathizers from all over 
the country. Photos of the president and copies of 
speeches in French and Arabic were distributed to all 
800 persons present in the Congress Palace. 
 
RAGSDALE