US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI379

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000379 
 
SIPDIS 
 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, DJ, PDEM 
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE CREATION OF A 10TH POLITICAL PARTY? 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Erinn C. Reed for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Pol/Econ received a courtesy call on April 12th from 
Ahmed Idriss, President of the Movement for Equality and 
Liberty (MEL), a political party in the process of forming. 
MEL has apparently tried to form a legal, recognized party in 
2002 but was turned down. Idriss stated that he sent a letter 
regarding the party's new request for official recognition on 
January 3, 2005 to the Procurer of the Republic and received 
an "okay" for creation of the party after elections. Idriss 
said the party has also submitted an application for the 
right to publish a journal. He did not say when official 
recognition of the party was supposed to be granted. Idriss 
said the party will hold preparatory congresses soon to 
attract members from the country's population. 
 
2. (C)  He explained that he was calling on the Embassy to 
establish contact with the Embassy, to give the U.S. 
political knowledge of the party and to ask for U.S. 
assistance in the political development of Djibouti. Idriss 
said the party's goal was not to align with the government or 
the opposition, but to be a third, independent voice in 
Djiboutian politics. He stated the political platform of the 
party is to install political freedom, economic security and 
social equality. In response to Pol/Econ's question as to how 
the party aimed to accomplish this task, Idriss said the road 
to these goals was long and required small steps. First, the 
people must talk amongst themselves and be aware of the 
political process. Second, the government must consult with 
the people before making laws. Idriss also commented the 
political system inherited from colonialism has been a major 
obstacle to the development of Djibouti. He said the system 
should be changed, but it cannot change all at once. 
 
3. (C) Pol/Econ asked what Idriss thought were the three most 
vital changes needed for the political development of 
Djibouti. Idriss said 1) There must be participation and an 
opening of the political system without conditions; 2) There 
must be an organization to help reintegrate people into the 
economic system, thus preparing for modernization and 
globalization; and 3) There must be freedom of the press 
which reflects the positions of Djiboutians. 
 
4. (C) Comment: Pol/Econ was particularly struck by Idriss's 
absolute refusal to have any conversation with Embassy FSNs. 
At first, the meeting included FSN Econ Assistant as note 
taker and translator if needed, as is normal for many 
first-time meetings when it is not known if French or Somali 
is preferred by the visitor. Idriss balked at the idea of 
having a Djiboutian not from his own party be translator. He 
said if a translator is needed, he would call someone from 
his party that knew English very well. After Econ Asst left, 
Idriss was very open about everything to do with his party 
and even his tribal origins. At the end of the meeting, 
Pol/Econ thanked Idriss for the visit and commented in 
passing that she could be reached at the Embassy or a message 
could be left with her staff if she was not in. Again Idriss 
refused all contact with Embassy FSNs saying, "There is no 
reasons to create intermediaries between us, if we meet again 
I will contact you directly or you may contact me. I would 
also ask that all further meetings not be held at the 
Embassy." 
 
5. (C) Comment cont.: Suspicion of fellow Djiboutians of 
other clans is the norm in Djibouti, but the level shown by 
Idriss is surprising. Many opposition members have told us 
they are continually followed, but still prefer to hold 
meetings in the Embassy, where they know they can speak 
freely. Others have told us they believed some FSN members 
are spies for the Government of Djibouti. Still, Idriss's 
reaction is puzzling given that political contacts from the 
opposition or any other party have not had a problem in 
general being contacted by Embassy FSNs to set appointments, 
even when they meet with Embassy Americans alone. 
 
6. (C) Comment cont./Bio data: Ahmed Idriss is an Issa from 
the sub-clan Horone. According to Idriss, the Horone are 
known as fishermen and fish sellers and inhabit the southern 
coastline of Djibouti. This sub-clan is known by other Issas 
to be more independent, difficult to deal with and to have 
problems with all other Issa sub-clans. This characterization 
might account for Idriss's refusal to speak with Embassy 
FSNs. Pol/Econ does not yet have much information on Idriss's 
background or party, but will continue to follow whether the 
party he described is officially recognized and the extent of 
its membership. End Comment. 
RAGSDALE