ECOWAS: KOUYATE'S FUTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 003207

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR AF, AF/W, AF/RA
EUCOM FOR DCINC AND POLAD LADESMA


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2011
TAGS: PREL NI ECOWAS UN
SUBJECT: ECOWAS: KOUYATE'S FUTURE


REF: USUN 3004


(U) Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter; Reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).



1. This is an action request. Please see para 5.



2. (C) During a December 7 meeting (septel),ECOWAS Executive
Secretary Kouyate told Ambassador Jeter that he would not

SIPDIS
seek a one-year extension as Executive Secretary. Kouyate
thought it was time to go and did not want to stand in the
way of other candidates, even though President Wade, the next
heir apparent of ECOWAS, had expressed hope that Kouyate
would stay.



3. (C) Kouyate said that The Gambia and Ghana had candidates,
and that tiny Benin had several, including the Minister of
Finance and Foreign Minister. Agreeing that it was
absolutely essential that an able person replace him, Kouyate
clearly indicated a preference by describing the Ghanaian
candidate Mohammed Chambas as a "skilled diplomat."



4. (C) Discussing his own future, Kouyate said he had spoken
to Kofi Annan about a UN position. He asked that the United
States put in a good word for him with the UN Secretary
General.



5. (C) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: After reading reftel, we
could think of no one better suited for the position of UN
Special Representative for West Africa. The well-respected
Kouyate knows both the UN system and West Africa. He is
highly regarded by sub-regional leaders, and consistently
demonstrates a willingness to work with the U.S. We also
note that the Special Representative office will be based in
Dakar, likely to be the home of the next ECOWAS Chairman.
Kouyate's presence in Dakar in a UN capacity could enhance
coordination between the UN and ECOWAS, which, on balance,
would benefit USG interests in West Africa. END COMMENT AND
ACTION REQUEST.
Jeter