Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA2422
2007-11-21 15:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
ECOWAS COMMISSIONER TOURE ON AFRICOM
how-toVZCZCXRO2562 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2422 3251500 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211500Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1488 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8302 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PMIL NI
SUBJECT: ECOWAS COMMISSIONER TOURE ON AFRICOM
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002422
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PMIL NI
SUBJECT: ECOWAS COMMISSIONER TOURE ON AFRICOM
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) During a November 20 meeting in which ECOWAS
Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security
Mahamane Toure told Poloff that the USG's approach to
persuading African states to buy into Africom was wrong.
Explaining his widely circulated comments following the
November 7 ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff meeting in
Monrovia, in which he was reported to have said the U.S.
neglected to follow "due process" in creating Africom, he
said the USG efforts failed to take into account African
customs and culture. The Airlie House Conference
information, while excellent, "never left the closed circle
of Defense personnel invitees, as information in Africa can
never flow from the bottom up, only from the top down." He
suggested refocusing our efforts to primarily address
Africa's top political leadership, and in particular thought
the best way to persuade hearts and minds in ECOWAS was to
send the highest level delegation possible to speak at the
December 17 Heads of State Summit in Ouagadougou.
PIASCIK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PMIL NI
SUBJECT: ECOWAS COMMISSIONER TOURE ON AFRICOM
Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).
1. (C) During a November 20 meeting in which ECOWAS
Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security
Mahamane Toure told Poloff that the USG's approach to
persuading African states to buy into Africom was wrong.
Explaining his widely circulated comments following the
November 7 ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff meeting in
Monrovia, in which he was reported to have said the U.S.
neglected to follow "due process" in creating Africom, he
said the USG efforts failed to take into account African
customs and culture. The Airlie House Conference
information, while excellent, "never left the closed circle
of Defense personnel invitees, as information in Africa can
never flow from the bottom up, only from the top down." He
suggested refocusing our efforts to primarily address
Africa's top political leadership, and in particular thought
the best way to persuade hearts and minds in ECOWAS was to
send the highest level delegation possible to speak at the
December 17 Heads of State Summit in Ouagadougou.
PIASCIK