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### Viewing cable 08ABIDJAN396, THE NEW BLE GOUDE

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08ABIDJAN396 | 2008-06-18 16:29 | 2010-12-09 21:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Abidjan

`

    VZCZCXYZ0000
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHAB #0396/01 1701629
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 181629Z JUN 08
    FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4317
    INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0210
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000396

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2018
    TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SOCI UN IV
    SUBJECT: THE NEW BLE GOUDE

    Classified By: POL/ECON SECTION CHIEF SILVIA EIRIZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B/D
    ).

    ¶1. (C) Summary. Charles Ble Goude, leader of COJEP
    (PanAfrican Congress of Young Patriots), is one of three
    Ivorians under United Nations (UN) Security Council
    sanctions. However, an offensive seems to be underway,
    bolstered by the presidential camp, to re-shape Ble Goude's
    public image and portray him as a future statesman. Ble
    Goude's transformation began with his national tour in 2007
    to promote reconciliation. He has gained prominence recently
    by launching a foundation that provides skills training and
    employment for youth. All indications are that President
    Gbagbo and some of his closest advisors continue to embrace
    this divisive and controversial figure. End Summary.

    ¶2. (U) Ble Goude was placed under UN sanctions on February 7,
    2006 for repeated public statements advocating violence
    against UN installations, UN personnel, and foreigners, as
    well as directing and participating in acts of violence by
    street militias, including beatings, rapes, and extrajudicial
    killings. The UN determined that he intimidated the UN, the
    International Working Group (IWG), the political opposition,
    and the independent press and sabotaged international radio
    stations. The UN also found that he was an obstacle to the
    action of the IWG, the United Nations Operation in Cote
    d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the French forces, and the peace process as
    defined by resolution 1643 of 2005.

    ¶3. (C) Ble Goude kept a low profile for some time after
    sanctions were imposed but has, since last year, undertaken
    actions to transform his public image from leader of an armed
    militia to statesman. He has been very visible in the media
    in the last three months in what appears to be a charm
    offensive to demonstrate to the Ivoiran public that he is a
    serious political actor. He has conducted press interviews
    and his second book is scheduled to be released during the
    month of June. According to the French Embassy, Ble Goude
    has become a wealthy businessman, with substantial holdings
    in hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, gas stations, and real
    estate in Cote d'Ivoire. French Emboff told us that Ble
    Goude requires payment for all activities he undertakes on
    behalf of the Presidency and the FPI governing party.

    ¶4. (U) Ble Goude began his political career in the Student
    Federation of Cote d'Ivoire (FESCI), rising through the ranks
    to succeed current Prime Minister Soro as FESCI's Secretary
    General from 1998 to 2000. In 2001, he founded COJEP (the
    Pan African Congress of Young Patriots) which he continues to
    lead. Ble Goude started his public transformation by casting
    himself as a peacemaker and conciliator when he launched a
    "peace caravan" in 2007. Over the course of 3 months, he
    visited 45 towns throughout the country, spreading the theme
    of reconciliation between rebel and government supporters.
    Although many observers doubted and continue to doubt his
    sincerity, Ble Goude evidently delivered a consistent message
    of peace and reconciliation in his speeches to the youth.

    ¶5. (U) His newest venture is the launching of a "Forum of
    Information and Orientation" that will provide skills
    training and find jobs for 200 youth. Minister of National
    Reconciliation Sebastien Dano Djedje, a member of the
    President's FPI party, delivered a speech at the project's
    March 14 launching ceremony. According to Ble Goude, 12,000
    young people contacted his Forum seeking to be selected.
    Minister for Planning and Development Paul-Antoine Bohoun
    Bouabre, also an FPI member, publicly presented Ble Goude
    with a check for 5 million CFA (USD 12,000) to support this
    project. Ble Goude's forum was covered on national TV and
    interviews with him were run several times.

    ¶6. (U) The June 6 edition of the government's newspaper,
    "Fraternite Matin," featured an interview with Ble Goude
    photographed in a suit and tie. Ble Goude said he launched
    his Forum because as head of a youth movement, he has an
    obligation to guide the country's youth. He lamented that
    Cote d'Ivoire's moral fiber has weakened, leading people to
    seek shortcuts around the law and to take into account only
    those with financial means. Asked by his interviewer to
    comment on the arrest of DRC rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba,
    Ble Goude responded that one is never a rebel for life,
    adding that either one becomes a member of society or ends up
    like Charles Taylor or Jean-Pierre Bemba or Jonas Savimbi.

    ¶7. (C) While Ble Goude does not seem to have the following he
    commanded several years ago, he still has his COJEP faithful
    that he could mobilize. He also maintains a strong influence
    over FESCI. Konan Bertin Kouadio, President of the Youth
    Section of opposition political party PDCI, told Poloffs June
    10 that Ble Goude cannot organize the demonstrations and
    disturbances that he carried out several years ago, but that
    a large number of youth would still take to the streets if he
    gave the order. RDR Youth Section head Yayoro Karamokotel
    told Poloff that Ble Goude is Gbagbo's youth campaign
    manager. Skepticism about whether Ble Goude is genuinely
    committed to peaceful political dialogue remains quite high.

    ¶8. (C) Comment. President Gbagbo has repeatedly asked the UN
    to lift sanctions against Ble Goude and reportedly remains
    one of his strongest supporters, along with Simone Gbagbo.
    The choice of Ble Goude as youth campaign manager is clever
    because the charismatic Ble Goude can easily motivate and
    mobilize. It is disturbing, however, that Gbagbo's camp
    seems to be grooming Ble Goude for future positions in the
    party and/or the government rather than distancing itself
    from someone who remains under UN sanctions and who is still
    a divisive and controversial figure at home. Embassy contacts
    seem convinced that the government is financing the bulk of
    Ble Goude's activities, which raises concerns about Gbagbo's
    genuine commitment to implementation of the Ouagadougou
    Political Agreement (OPA). The government can finance Ble
    Goude's jobs for youth initiative, but states it lacks the
    funds for the civic service program for ex-combatants, which
    is an integral part of the OPA. It appears that Ble Goude is
    succeeding in his effort to re-define himself to the Ivorian
    public, but whether his actions will eventually bear out his
    new image remains to be seen. End Comment.
    NESBITT

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