Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NIAMEY1412
2007-11-29 11:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:
NIGER: CORRUPTION SCANDAL HITS CITY HALL
how-toVZCZCXRO8805 PP RUEHPA DE RUEHNM #1412 3331156 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291156Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3926 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV ECON NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: CORRUPTION SCANDAL HITS CITY HALL
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NIAMEY 001412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV ECON NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: CORRUPTION SCANDAL HITS CITY HALL
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (U) In the latest phase of Niger's "clean hands"
anti-corruption campaign, the Nigerien authorities have
arrested a number of Niamey city officials on corruption
charges. The actions started at the top, with the November 1
arrest of the president of the city council (essentially the
mayor) of Niamey, Aboubacar Seydou Ganda, who was charged
with embezzling about $184,000 of city funds and of improper
contracting procedures. His deputy, Aboulaye Haidara, and
other city officials were also arrested. All of the men are
currently being detained. A dozen businessmen were later
arrested in conjunction with the questionable contracting.
Some of the businessmen denied involvement, claiming that
city workers had forged their names on documents and pocketed
the money that was allegedly paid to the businessmen.
2. (SBU) Many of those arrested are leading figures in the
ruling MNSD party. Both Ganda and Haidara are members of the
MNSD executive body. They are linked to the head of the MNSD,
Hama Amadou, who stepped down as Prime Minister last May
following a no confidence vote by the National Assembly
related to allegations of his involvement in corruption
associated with the education ministry. He is still viewed
as a contender for the 2009 Presidential elections and a
political rival of President Tandja. (Tandja is
constitutionally barred from seeking another term, but there
is widespread speculation that he would like to remain in
office after his current term expires in 2009.)
3. (C) In an ironic twist, Mayor Ganda was, in his position
as President of the Nigerien National Wrestling Federation,
actively working with the Embassy and a Military Information
Support Team (MIST) on an anti-corruption program at the time
of his arrest. Ganda was a conspicuous figure, who owns
probably the only Hummer in the country.
4. (C) Comment: The arrests are a positive sign of the GON's
efforts to fight corruption. It remains to be seen, however,
whether the GON follows up on the arrests with the successful
prosecution of those charged. Much fanfare was given to the
arrest of two government ministers in June 2006 in connection
with the education ministry case, but neither man has been
brought to trial. (They were initially jailed pending trial,
but were later released.) It also remains to be seen whether
the GON goes after individuals viewed as close to President
Tandja, rather than only allies of his political rival, Hama
Amadou.
ALLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV ECON NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: CORRUPTION SCANDAL HITS CITY HALL
Classified By: Donald W. Koran, DCM, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. (U) In the latest phase of Niger's "clean hands"
anti-corruption campaign, the Nigerien authorities have
arrested a number of Niamey city officials on corruption
charges. The actions started at the top, with the November 1
arrest of the president of the city council (essentially the
mayor) of Niamey, Aboubacar Seydou Ganda, who was charged
with embezzling about $184,000 of city funds and of improper
contracting procedures. His deputy, Aboulaye Haidara, and
other city officials were also arrested. All of the men are
currently being detained. A dozen businessmen were later
arrested in conjunction with the questionable contracting.
Some of the businessmen denied involvement, claiming that
city workers had forged their names on documents and pocketed
the money that was allegedly paid to the businessmen.
2. (SBU) Many of those arrested are leading figures in the
ruling MNSD party. Both Ganda and Haidara are members of the
MNSD executive body. They are linked to the head of the MNSD,
Hama Amadou, who stepped down as Prime Minister last May
following a no confidence vote by the National Assembly
related to allegations of his involvement in corruption
associated with the education ministry. He is still viewed
as a contender for the 2009 Presidential elections and a
political rival of President Tandja. (Tandja is
constitutionally barred from seeking another term, but there
is widespread speculation that he would like to remain in
office after his current term expires in 2009.)
3. (C) In an ironic twist, Mayor Ganda was, in his position
as President of the Nigerien National Wrestling Federation,
actively working with the Embassy and a Military Information
Support Team (MIST) on an anti-corruption program at the time
of his arrest. Ganda was a conspicuous figure, who owns
probably the only Hummer in the country.
4. (C) Comment: The arrests are a positive sign of the GON's
efforts to fight corruption. It remains to be seen, however,
whether the GON follows up on the arrests with the successful
prosecution of those charged. Much fanfare was given to the
arrest of two government ministers in June 2006 in connection
with the education ministry case, but neither man has been
brought to trial. (They were initially jailed pending trial,
but were later released.) It also remains to be seen whether
the GON goes after individuals viewed as close to President
Tandja, rather than only allies of his political rival, Hama
Amadou.
ALLEN