Cablegate: New National Director of Police Shakes Up Police

VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBP #0831 2841109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101109Z OCT 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9693

UNCLAS BAMAKO 000831

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINS SOCI ML
SUBJECT: NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF POLICE SHAKES UP POLICE
LEADERSHIP

1.(U) On September 9 newly appointed Director of National
Police, Niame Keita, replaced over 45 top police officials at
the national and regional levels. Minister of Internal
Security Sadio Gassama appointed Keita as Police director in
June, replacing former Director Yacouba Diallo, now retired.
Kieta's appointment, and the changes he has subsequently
initiated, are regarded as an attempt to address allegations
of corruption with the Malian police force. During the
September 9 shake up, Keita replaced office directors,
special unit commanders, deputy commanders, and district
commanders in all regions except Gao. This represents a
large portion of senior police officials throughout Mali,
including the head of the National Police School.

2.(U) The newly named officials appear to represent a cadre
of trusted officers hand picked by Keita. The most
high-profile replacement occured in Bamako where the now
ex-Police Commander, Boubacar Diouf, was implicated in the
theft of CFA 448 million (approximately USD 1 million) from
the police officers' pension fund. Diouf has been reassigned
to the Office of the Inspector at the National Police Office
in Bamako, considered a major step down from his previous
post.
LEONARD

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