US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI438

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000438 
 
SIPDIS 
 
London/Paris pass to Africa Watcher 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, SCUL, DJ 
SUBJECT: Influential Businessman Saad Ahmed Cheikh Dies of 
Natural Causes 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY Saad Ahmed Cheikh, founder and CEO of the largest 
and most successful transit company in Djibouti (The Compagnie 
Maritime et de Manutention de Djibouti, aka, COMAD), died on 4 
May at Bouffard Hospital of rumored cardiac and pulmonary 
problems and diabetes. The 48-year-old Cheikh was a well- 
connected business figure and philanthropist. His death is 
expected to have notable social impact. END SUMMARY 
 
2. (U) A former General Attorney, Cheikh founded COMAD in 1996. 
His social connections undoubtedly helped establish the success 
of the company.  COMAD works with most of the American carriers 
operating in Djibouti and handles more than 1 million metric 
tons of food aid annually donated by international organizations 
such as the USAID, the EEC and Care International. COMAD's 
success allowed Cheikh to create other companies, many with 
foreign partners.  Cheikh surrounded himself with a small, 
dynamic team of business advisors and did not hesitate to hire 
foreign experts for short periods of time and he quickly became 
the head of Saad Business Group (SBG) which includes 15 firms 
with activities in various fields such as clearing and 
forwarding (ITS), construction (DCC), livestock (HLEA), port 
equipment (Fantuzzi Reggiane Djibouti), fishing (SOCOPAM), air 
conditioning (Proficient Air), water drilling (SDC), trucking 
(SODJITRA) and more. 
 
 
3. (U) It is important to note, however, that not all of SBG's 
firms are active, despite the fact that they exist on the books. 
SODJITRA, for example, consists of a small fleet of trucks, but 
is still trying to get a foothold in the transportation section, 
which is currently monopolized by Ethiopian companies. SBG's 
newest venture is the North Holding Investment Share Company, 
created in January 2005 with Ethiopian and American partners. 
The firm recently obtained a large plot of land in Djibouti, 
near PK12, and is planning to invest in food, textile, auto and 
paint industries in addition to transportation. 
 
4. (U) The annual profits of COMAD, the backbone of SBG, are 
estimated at US$11 million. COMAD'S business manager Ali Hettam 
worked as Cheikh's right-hand man and is generally considered 
very competent. It is expected he will continue to run COMAD in 
Cheikh's absence. However, any restructuring of the company by 
successors could potentially result in the lay-offs of large 
numbers of workers. The company is considered by some to be 
inefficient and over-staffed.  Also, in the absence of Cheikh, 
COMAD loses the political and economic protection of an 
influential man, making it easy prey for competition or 
takeover. Many of SBG's firms will likely disappear or be taken 
over by other investors. 
 
5. (U) Cheikh was the brother of the Head of the Gendarmarie, 
Col. Mahdi Cheikh, and also of the well-respected local Muslim 
cleric, Cheikh Souleiman Ahmed Cheikh, who is an advisor to 
President Guelleh on Muslim affairs. As an Issa, sub/clan 
Mamassan, sub/sub clan Reer Igal, Cheikh was also known to have 
a close, personal relationship to President Guelleh that opened 
many bureaucratic doors. 
 
6. (U) Cheikh's death is also expected to carry a social 
consequence. He is rumored to have supported as many as 75 poor 
families in Djibouti City. Members of the families allegedly 
receive a monthly salary from COMAD, despite the fact that they 
do not work for the company. 
 
7. (U) Cheikh leaves four wives and four children. It is rumored 
that the most recent is the sister of an Embassy employee. This 
is, as of yet, unconfirmed. 
RAGSDALE