US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA1078

C O N F I D E N T I A L  NDJAMENA 001078 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR AFRICA SENIOR DIRECTOR COURVILLE 
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, CD, Bilateral Issues, Human RIghts 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT DEBY BRISTLES OVER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 
REFERENDUM 
 
REF: NDJAMENA 1021 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Marc M. Wall for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  SUMMARY.  President Deby was evidently taken aback 
by the Ambassador's remarks at the Independence Day reception 
July 1 urging an open, credible electoral process over the 
coming year.  According to his chief foreign policy advisor, 
Deby is concerned about misimpressions he thinks may have 
been created about the U.S. attitude toward Chad.  In a frank 
review of the issues July 7, the Ambassador stressed our 
interest in friendly, cooperative relations, but noted 
concerns many in Chad have expressed about shortcomings in 
the referendum on June 6 lifting presidential term limits. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (C)  Presidential Counselor Alam-Mi Ahmad invited the 
Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 7 for what 
turned out to be a discussion of the Ambassador's remarks at 
the Independence Day reception July 1.  Over a cup of sugary 
desert tea, the characteristically jovial Alam-Mi said 
President Deby was upset by the Ambassador's remarks and 
wanted to know if they signaled a change in the friendly U.S. 
attitude toward Chad.  He said the comments may have left the 
wrong impression.  He asked if the Ambassador would consider 
issuing another statement correcting any misunderstandings. 
 
3.  (C)  The Ambassador responded that he had hoped to invite 
President Deby to the reception personally and brief him on 
what he intended to say.  This had not been possible because 
of Deby's extended stay in France.  The Ambassador said he 
had chosen his words carefully and believed President Deby 
would agree with his points.  He affirmed that the United 
States seeks friendly, cooperative relations with Chad.  He 
noted that he had spoken with President Deby previously about 
the respect with which the United States regards Chad's work 
for peace in Darfur, its hospitality for Sudanese refugees, 
its cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and its plan 
for transparent management of its oil revenues.  He asked 
Alam-Mi to explain the points where he had concerns. 
 
4.  (C)  Alam-Mi read through portions of the statement, 
agreeing with much of it.  He singled out as points of 
concern the observations on our hopes for an open, credible 
electoral process and our belief that voter lists should be 
accurate and votes counted without manipulation.  The 
Ambassador responded that many Chadians have questions about 
the referendum held on June 6.  They wonder how a country 
with nine million citizens could have more than five million 
registered voters.  They find it hard to believe the official 
results indicating that almost 72 percent of them voted when 
it was plain to see empty polling booths throughout N'Djamena 
on the day of the referendum and similar scenes indicating 
low turnout rates elsewhere in the country.  They were 
surprised by the announcement that a majority of 78 percent 
voted in favor of the proposal for the constitutional 
amendment.  The Ambassador added that at the time when he 
delivered his remarks three journalists were in prison for 
articles the government had found offensive.  Journalists 
should be responsible, he said, but they have the right not 
to be thrown in jail arbitrarily. 
 
5.  (C)  Alam-Mi addressed these points in turn.  Chad has 
many citizens registered to vote living in Libya, Sudan, and 
even Congo-Brazzaville, he claimed.  Many of the nomadic 
herders who voted were allowed to cast their ballots before 
the referendum and were not seen on the day of the vote. 
N'Djamena was more politicized than other parts of the 
country and thus more susceptible to appeals by the 
opposition parties to boycott the referendum.  Thus it is not 
surprising that turnout rates were low in the capital city. 
Many Chadians lack confidence in their system, but they know 
the country is fragile, ethnically fractured, and prone to 
banditry.  They are willing to accept a leader who has proven 
he can assure stability.  Responding to the Ambassador's 
point that Chad has nonetheless made progress under President 
Deby toward a democratic system and that its neighbors in 
Niger and Mali have been able to carry out democratic 
transitions, Alam-Mi said Chad is different.  It is more 
 
 
divided religiously and ethnically.  On the press, he 
acknowledged that journalists should be spared arbitrary 
arrest, but he charged that many of the irresponsible ones 
were feeding divisions and inspiring opponents who were 
undermining the legitimacy of Deby's regime. 
 
6.  (C)  The Ambassador stressed that it is up to the Chadian 
people to decide whether or not to repeal term limits and 
extend Deby's regime in power.  Our concern is the process. 
He noted concerns many Chadians have about the credibility of 
that process and our view that it needs improvements.  He 
said he would look for an opportunity to speak out again 
about the importance the United States continues to attach to 
our relations with Chad.  He expressed the hope to discuss 
these issues with President Deby once he returns to the 
country. 
 
7.  (C)  COMMENT.  Despite the Ambassador's various 
discussions with President Deby's confidants in recent weeks 
(ref), his remarks on July 1 caught President Deby off guard. 
 Part of the reason for his surprise is that no one he 
bothers listening to is giving him similar counsel.  Although 
the independent press is freely debating these issues, none 
in his inner circle and no other embassies seem to be raising 
them with him.  Having caught his attention, we hope it will 
lead to a dialogue on his career plans and the need for a 
credible electoral process over the coming year.  END COMMENT. 
 
8.  (U)  Khartoum Minimize Considered. 
WALL 
 
 
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