US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA1237

C O N F I D E N T I A L  NDJAMENA 001237 
 
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DEPT FOR AF, AF/C INR, DRL, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA 
WATCHERS 
E.O. 12958: DECL: (##) 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, KDEM, CD, Government and Biographic Reports, Political Stability 
SUBJECT: CHAD: LONG AWAIT CABINET RESHUFFLE 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: POL/ECON OFFICER KATHLEEN FITZGIBBON 
FOR REASONS 1.4.(b.) AND (d.) 
 
1.  (SBU)  Summary: 
President Idriss Deby reshuffled his cabinet on August 7, placing the 
Ministry of Defense under the Presidency.  Key changes include the 
Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, and Finance. 
The new cabinet may reflect the President's security concerns and his 
ire with previous ministers in the wake of the public referendum.  The 
replacement of fifteen ministers is the largest reshuffling in recent 
memory.  The cabinet was expanded by three members and the number of 
female ministers increased from three to six.  End Summary. 
2.  (U) 
President Idriss Deby changed his cabinet on August 7.  Prime Minister 
Pascal Yoadimnadji dubbed the new cabinet "the Government of Combat". 
The new government's "mission" will be to win the upcoming communal 
elections in October and the presidential and legislative elections in 
early 2006. Yaodimnadji complained that the previous ministers failed 
to eradicate mismanagement, embezzelement, insecurity, and impunity. 
Deby reportedly advised the new appointees to be open to the media, on 
message, and discreet about discussions among ministers.  Ruling party 
Secretary General, Mahamat Hissein, commented that independent 
 
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journalists are now facing problems because they have sided with 
opposition parties.  Otherwise, Hissein said that the ruling Movement 
for Patriotic Salvation would have intervened to assist them. 
 
3.  (C) 
Most observers expected a cabinet change after the previous ministers 
failed to produce a "oui massif" in the public referendum on June 6. 
The President's travel to France for a medical vacation from June 
15-July 15 precluded making changes until his return.  The most 
noteworthy changes were the removal of Defense Minister Emmanuel 
Nadingar and Public Security Minister Abderahman Moussa and placement 
of the Ministry of Defense under the Presidency.  Previously, the 
Ministry of Defense reported to the Prime Minister.  Nadingar has been 
named Minister of Transport.  President Deby reportedly intended on 
making his son, Brahim Deby, the Minister of Defense.  Civilian and 
military sources told us that the French opposed such a move, delaying 
the reshuffle.  The placement of the military under the Presidency may 
be aimed at consolidating Deby's control over the military, 
particularly at a time when he is concerned about security in the north 
and east.  Bichara Issa Djadallah, a Minister at the Presidency, is now 
in charge of National Defense.  Bichara, an ethnic Arab, reportedly is 
well-placed to handle threats in the north, especially from Libya.  The 
move may enhance the ability of Deby's son, Brahim, who serves aa a 
Secretary in the Presidency, to call on the military for support in the 
 
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event of a power struggle within the family. (Septel) 
 
4.  (C) Minister 
of Public Security and Immigration Abderahman Moussa's departure also 
surprised many observers as he was considered to be the linchpin to 
maintaining physical security in the country.  One source suggested 
that after last week's coup in Mauritania, Deby may have decided to put 
a less independent actor in charge of security.  Moussa may end up as a 
security advisor within the Presidency.  Routuang Golum, former 
Commerce Minister, has been named Moussa's successor.  Golum, a former 
military general, interacted frequently with the Embassy on trade and 
commerce matters while serving as Commerce Minister.  He was active at 
Commerce despite his lack of experience in commercial matters.  His 
security background makes him better suited for his new posting at 
Public Security.  However, we do not expect him to act as independently 
as Moussa. 
 
5. (C) An interesting addition to the cabinet is Mahamat 
Garfa as Minister of Post and New Communications Technology.  He is a 
former head of the National Resistance Army (ANR). His inclusion may be 
a reward for his Tama rebels' infiltration and sabotage of Mahamat 
Nour's movement. 
 
6.  (SBU) Two members of Chad's Mediation Team for 
Darfur were promoted.  They are both out of the country traveling on 
Darfur-related consultations so it is not yet clear whether they will 
surrender their Darfur responsibilities.  Ahmad Allam-mi moves from his 
position as Special Advisor to the President for International 
Relations to Foreign Minister and the Chairman of the Joint Commission 
on the Cease-fire on Darfur, General Mahamat Ali Abdullah, was named 
Minister for Territorial Administration.  Some are surprised that Ali 
was named to this post, which oversees the Governors and Prefects, 
given that he is often rumored to be a likely successor to Deby.  He 
had previously served as Prefect of Moundou, Minister of Public 
Security and Finance.  Longtime Foreign Minister Nagoum Yamassoum 
reportedly will join the "Francophonie" Institute in Paris, which is 
 
increasingly serving as a mechanism for French support for African 
elections.  His positioning there is a prelude to next year's 
presidential elections. 
 
7.  (SBU) IMF Resident Representative Wayne 
Camard is satisfied with the naming of former Cabinet Director and 
nephew of the President, Abbas Tolli, as Minister of Finance.  Tolli, 
according to Cammard is a strong manager and his ties to the Presidency 
could be important to future budget discussions. 
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NEW GOVERNMENT LIST 
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8.  (U)  The newly appointed 
ministers include: 
Minister of State for Infrastructure: Adoum 
Younousmi 
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure for Transport: Emmanuel 
Nadingar 
Minister of State, Minister of National Education, Youth, and 
Sports: Avocksouma Djona 
Deputy Minister of Education for Primary and 
Secondary Education: Mahamat Maouloud Izzadine 
Deputy Minister of 
Education for University, Scientific Research, and Professional 
Training: Dr. Idriss Ali Faroukh 
Deputy Minister of Education for Youth 
and Sports: Oumar Boukar 
Minister of Foreign Affairs and African 
Integration: Ahmad Allam-mi 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and 
African Integration: Dillah Lucienne 
Minister of Public Health: Moussa 
Khadam 
Minister of Justice: Ngarta Mbaiouroun Edouard 
Minister of 
Finance: Abbas Mahamat Tolli 
Deputy Minister of Finance in Charge of 
Budget: Nadjalta Mirangaye 
Minister of Agriculture: Payimi Padacke 
Albert 
Deputy Minister at the Presidency for National Defense: Bichara 
Issa Djadallah 
Minister of Economy, Plan, and Cooperation: Mahamat Ali 
Hassan 
Minister of Territorial Administration: Gen. Mahamat Ali 
Abdullah 
Minister of Public Security and Immigration: Routouang Yoma 
Golom 
Minister of Environment and Water: Hissein Ahmed Senoussi 
Deputy 
Minister for Water Resources: Haoua Outman 
Minister of Livestock: 
Mahamat Allamine Bourma 
Minister of Urban Management and Housing: Dr. 
Chene Adoum 
Minister of Social Action and Family: Hassan Terap 
Minister 
of Civil Service, Labor, and Employment: Fatime Kimto 
Minister of Mines 
and Energy: Youssouf Abassallah 
Minister of Petroleum: Mahamat Nasser 
Hassan 
Minister of Communication, Culture, Spokesperson for the 
Government: Hourmadji Moussa Doumngor 
Minister of Ethics, Inspector 
General: Mahamat Bechir Okormi 
Minister of Commerce and Artisans: 
Carmelle Ngarmbatina 
Minister of Postal Service, New Technology, and 
Communications: Mahamat Garfa 
Secretary General of Government: Djividi 
 
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Boukar 
Assistant Secretary of Government: Mirian Moussa Ali 
Deputy 
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights: Abderamane 
Djasnabaille 
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COMMENT 
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9.  (C)  Aside from the movement 
of the Defense Ministry under Presidential control, the other cabinet 
changes do not signal any real change in direction or likely 
 
improvement in government performance.  The departure of many cabinet 
members was expected after they failed to produce a large turn-out for 
the public referendum on June 6.  It is questionable whether this team 
will fare any better. 
 
10.  (U) Khartoum and Tripoli 
Minimize. 
 
 
WALL 
 
 
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