MIDDLE EAST AFRICA SOUTH ASIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 1, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 21, 1975
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
Secret
No Foreign D%riem
gul~~ Kau~
20
0
Middle East
Africa
South Asia
Secret
No. 0432/75
February 21, 1975
Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
 Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
No Foreign Dissern
No Dissem Abroad/Controlled Dissem
Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
Classified by 005827
Exempt from general declassification schedule
of E. 0. 1 1652, exemption category:
? 5B (1), (2), .and (3)
Automatically declassified
on: Date Impossible to Determine
Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
 Approved For Release 2001 /08/ G6K P79T00865A000400130001-4
This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington com-
munity by the Middle East - Africa Division, Office of Current Intelligence,
with occasional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
the authors of the individual articles.
Dahomey: Kerekou Still In Trouble . . . . . . . 2
:Feb 2l, 1975
SECRET
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SECRET
Dahomey
Kerekou Still In Trouble
]?resident Kerekou remains in deep political
trouble a month after his radical-dominated mili-
tary government fended off an attempted takeover by
a moderate cabinet minister who charged the presi-
dent with corruption. The US embassy in Cotonou
reports the minister has been detained, but his
charges against Kerekou have so discredited the
president in the eyes of the officer corps that his
ouster and possible exile appear near.
Kerekou seems to have played only a secondary
role in thwarting the attempted takeover, and his
efforts since then to clear himself have come off
poorly. Kerekou's wife and children reportedly have
taken refuge in Guinea, a strong supporter of
Kerekou and his clique of radical officers. The
only important radicalofficer still supporting
Kerekou is the information minister, Lt. Azonhiho.
He is said to be organizing a small force of
irregulars, but probably lacks the political
strength to play a commanding role in the current
situation.
Meanwhile, Dahomey's other leading military
officers are maneuvering intensively among the
army's various factions to try to win agreement for
a successor regime. Apparently, some sort of
triumvirate arrangement that might include
civilian representation is being discussed. It is
unclear whether military moderates or radicals cur-
rently have the upper hand in the maneuvering.
Guinea and Nigeria are working behind the scenes
to influence the outcome of Dahomey's latest poli-
tical crisis. Guinea's foreign minister visited
Cotonou last week. He reportedly assured Kerekou
of Guinean President Toure's continued support and
(Continued)
Feb 21, 1975
SECRET
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SECRET
urged Kerekou to "stick it out." There are reports
that Guinea has sent at least one planeload of arms
and possibly military advisers to assist Lt. Azonhiho's
irregulars.
Nigeria's role is considerably less visible,
but Lagos, which is pushing economic cooperation
with Dahomey, has an interest in keeping its neigh-
bor on a moderate course. The Nigerian ambassador
in Cotonou reportedly has been in frequent contact
with a moderate Dahomean officer who is likely to
play a leading role in a successor regime. Late last
month, Nigeria's commissioner for external affairs
and the army chief of staff visited Cotonou for
secret consultations. (CONFIDENTIAL)
Feb 21, 1975
SECRET
Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4
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Secret
Secret
Approved For Release 2001/08/08 : CIA-RDP79T00865A000400130001-4